Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical examination of the development of liberalism from classical liberalism (e.g. John Locke) to contemporary conflict between revisionist and neo-classical or libertarian currents.

COURSE DETAILS:

Liberalism is arguably the dominant political ideology in the western world and beyond today. But it means different things to different people, having evolved over the course of several centuries in many directions. On the one hand, economic and political neo‐liberalism emphasized the more individualist strands of the liberal tradition; on the other hand, various forms of egalitarian or postmodern liberalism aim at a transformative politics in which the values of social justice and multiculturalism figure prominently. The challenge we will address is whether and to what extent there remains a common ground between these currents, and whether some new synthesis of liberal principles can be achieved, especially in the light of recent challenges from nationalist/populist and traditionalist/conservative critics.

There will be a four hour seminar each week; at least one hour will be devoted to students’ presentations and in-class discussions.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: