Liberalism in Modern Times

by Ernest Gellner (Editor)

This fascinating study pays tribute to the life and work of the Brazilian essayist, thinker and diplomat José G. Merquior, who died prematurely in 1991. Part I concentrates on Merquiorian thought itself and examines Merquior's own incisive review of the rebirth of the liberal idea. Part II ranges more here, such distinguished contributors as John Hall, Ernest Gellner and Norberto Bobbio develop some of Merquior's favourite themes – liberalism as it relates to social cohesion, political stability, morality, republicanism and democracy, and the relativeness and scepticism that characterize postmodern thinking. The book's application to two regions of the world – to Merquior's own Latin America and to Central and Eastern Europe – is direct and obvious.

239 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Ernest Gellner was a prominent British-Czech philosopher, social anthropologist, and writer on nationalism.