Civic Liberalism

Reflections on Our Democratic Ideals

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book Civic Liberalism by Thomas A. Spragens Jr., Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Thomas A. Spragens Jr. ISBN: 9780742573581
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: September 30, 1999
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
ISBN: 9780742573581
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: September 30, 1999
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

In Civic Liberalism: Reflections on Our Democratic Ideals, prominent political theorist Thomas A. Spragens, Jr. asserts that most versions of democratic ideals—libertarianism, liberal egalitarianism, difference liberalism, and the liberalism of fear—lead our polity significantly astray. Spragens offers another alternative. He argues that we should recover the multiple and complex aspirations found within the tradition of democratic liberalism and integrate them into a more compelling public philosophy for our time—or what he calls civic liberalism. Civic liberalism, Spragens contends, endorses both liberty and equality although neither can properly be understood as a maximizing principle. Instead, liberty should be seen as the constitutive threshold good of autonomy; and equality should be seen as a moral postulate and instrumental good. Moreover, civic liberalism explicitly embraces forms of 'fraternity,' civic friendship, and civic virtue consistent with respect for social pluralism. Therefore, a better understanding of our democratic ideals will free us from the constrictive orthodoxies of the left and right, lead us toward better public policy, and help us become a well ordered society of flourishing, self-governing civic equals.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Civic Liberalism: Reflections on Our Democratic Ideals, prominent political theorist Thomas A. Spragens, Jr. asserts that most versions of democratic ideals—libertarianism, liberal egalitarianism, difference liberalism, and the liberalism of fear—lead our polity significantly astray. Spragens offers another alternative. He argues that we should recover the multiple and complex aspirations found within the tradition of democratic liberalism and integrate them into a more compelling public philosophy for our time—or what he calls civic liberalism. Civic liberalism, Spragens contends, endorses both liberty and equality although neither can properly be understood as a maximizing principle. Instead, liberty should be seen as the constitutive threshold good of autonomy; and equality should be seen as a moral postulate and instrumental good. Moreover, civic liberalism explicitly embraces forms of 'fraternity,' civic friendship, and civic virtue consistent with respect for social pluralism. Therefore, a better understanding of our democratic ideals will free us from the constrictive orthodoxies of the left and right, lead us toward better public policy, and help us become a well ordered society of flourishing, self-governing civic equals.

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book Tooning In by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book The Metaphorical Society by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Aspects of Enlightenment by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of The Gambia by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Slavery in Colonial America, 1619–1776 by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Christmas Food and Feasting by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Connecting the Dots in World History, A Teacher's Literacy-Based Curriculum by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Learning from the Inside-Out by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Freud on the Psychology of Ordinary Mental Life by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Don't Gossip in the Teachers' Lounge by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Midlife Maze by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Guerrilla Film Scoring by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Learning and Teaching Creative Cognition by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Yemen by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
Cover of the book The Forty Years that Created America by Thomas A. Spragens Jr.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy