The Poverty of Liberalism

Addressing himself not only to radical thinkers but to liberal thinkers as well, Robert Paul Wolff, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, provides here an examination of four concepts central to liberal political concerns: Liberty, Tolerance, Loyalty, and Power. With distinctive precision of thought, Wolff shows how deeply liberals are dedicated to what is for him the “moral disaster” of American politics and for them “stability,” “moderation,” and “the end of ideology.” We need, Wolff states, an ideal of society more exalted than the mere acceptance of opposed interests and diverse customs. We need, moreover, a new philosophy of community, and in his last chapter Wolff undertakes to outline the first steps toward such a philosophy.