This work introduces and defends a radically different type of liberal political theory by severing liberal thought from all underlying moral foundations. Its aim is to present a type of liberalism capable of accommodating the richly diverse differences of worldview and moral theory of the good present in today's pluralist societies. By constructing liberalism as a purely political doctrine, the author develops a theory of toleration, and civil association more generally, capable of meeting liberalism's historic commitment to diversity. While the justification for such a liberalism must be made in prudential terms, rather than the more familiar moral terms used to support competing liberal theories, the liberalism developed here remains faithful to the liberal tradition by defending a theory of equal liberty as the primary political virtue of a just society.
Author(s): Craig L. Carr
Edition: First Edition
Year: 2007
Language: English
Pages: 264
Cover......Page 1
Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgments......Page 10
Introduction......Page 12
The politics of the modern state......Page 13
Liberalism and the modern state......Page 17
Practical liberalism......Page 23
1 A Prolegomenon to Political Thought......Page 31
Political argument and the demands of audience......Page 35
Conflict, compromise, and the politics of interests......Page 44
Ideals, interests, and the politics of principle......Page 55
Manufacturing unity: Practical argument and social diversity......Page 59
The sociology of liberal politics......Page 67
Pluralism and political argument......Page 72
The liberal principle......Page 75
Prudence, persuasion, and practical argument......Page 79
Stability, civility, and the politics of principle......Page 90
3 Freedom and Toleration......Page 94
Toleration......Page 95
A schematic of liberal toleration......Page 102
Forbearance and non-interference......Page 109
Group recruitment and retention......Page 121
Conclusion......Page 127
4 Toleration and Group Autonomy......Page 129
Liberal toleration and bad moral faith......Page 130
Hatred, prejudice, and bigotry......Page 139
Toleration and the practice of private discrimination......Page 148
Toleration, social stability, and civic education......Page 157
Conclusion: The price of toleration......Page 168
5 Stability, Legitimacy, and the Liberal Polity......Page 170
The theory and practice of political stability......Page 171
The theory and practice of prudential argument......Page 175
The pursuit of political legitimacy......Page 186
Uncertainty, risk aversion, and choice......Page 191
Social dynamics in theory and practice......Page 197
Conclusion: Unstable stability......Page 200
6 Justice, Fairness, and the Making of Civility......Page 203
In the shadow of Hobbes......Page 205
Toward a theory of social justice......Page 211
Fairness, civility, and associational morality......Page 224
Goodness and justice in the liberal polity......Page 231
Conclusion......Page 236
Epilogue......Page 237
Notes......Page 241
F......Page 260
L......Page 261
P......Page 262
W......Page 263
Y......Page 264
