A compelling and deeply felt exploration and defense of liberalism: what it actually is, why it is relevant today, and how it can help our society ...
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reviews
Jun 19, 2010
Ldrutman
rated it: 
This book would better be called liberalism and its critics, except that's already been taken as a title. What Wolfe does here is defendliberalism from critics on both left and right, using various critiques to bolster the foundation of liberalism. Wolfe's liberalism is in many ways an odorless, colorless substance, a procedural bedrock that we take for granted. It's the idea of equal opportunity, of freedom of speech, of a political process that's open to everyone. It's the idea of civilization
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Oct 13, 2010
Aaron
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More than anything else, this book is a primer in the truest sense - Wolfe touches on just about every significant theorist in the canon but can’t spend much time with any of them, so you’re left primed to do the more important reading on the original sources on your own time. In this, The Future of Liberalism doesn’t wander far from any number of basic polisci overviews. The only difference is that Wolfe is trying for popular topicality and a wide audience, so he can’t leave off at merely de
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Aug 24, 2009
Nigel
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This book absolutely took me forever to get through, but it was totally worth it. It's really dense and academic and really written more for political philosophers, but, for the parts I could stay with it at least, I still really enjoyed it.
Wolfe sets out to define what is really meant by "Liberalism," and then to defend it, arguing that Liberalism is, although imperfect, still superior to any other political theory or philosophy of governance you can think to mention (con More...
Wolfe sets out to define what is really meant by "Liberalism," and then to defend it, arguing that Liberalism is, although imperfect, still superior to any other political theory or philosophy of governance you can think to mention (con More...
Aug 05, 2011
Joseph
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Be aware, going into it, that it's extremely academic, so it's not exactly what I would call leisure reading or something to take on the train with you. It ended up taking me about a year to get through after various stops and starts. But it's worth the mental investment - this is about as complete and clear a picture that can be painted of liberalism and all its branches, from past to present. And as someone who would describe himself as a Wolfe Liberal, I find this book to be infused with a gr
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Mar 28, 2010
Paul
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At last someone stands up to defend liberalism and honor its tradition and its contribution to our political life. Of particular note is Wolfe's determination to respect and include religion and religious people in the debate. In the end, Wolfe really challenges other liberals to live up to their heritage.
Oct 24, 2009
Bill
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Thoroughly researched, eloquently written, and argued quite reasonably, Wolfe has almost convinced me that I am a liberal!
This is definitely a must-read, no matter what your political bent.
This is definitely a must-read, no matter what your political bent.
Dec 30, 2010
Joe
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There is actually some pretty good groundwork in here for a liberal/libertarian fusion -- despite what Wolfe himself seems to think about libertarians.
Jun 19, 2009
Cisco
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interesting philosophy, however the book dealt 70% with the HISTORY of liberalism. still, overall interesting background to our policy and cultural wars.
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