PO 356 - Liberalism, Pluralism and Community

One of the most fundamental and enduring political problems is finding the right balance between the goods of individuals and the good of the community. Over the last century this problem was explored by liberals (who emphasized the liberty of individuals), pluralists (who describe political life not as an association of individuals but rather a dynamic interaction of identity groups), and by critics of these two approaches who tend to give emphasis to the claims of community and the maintenance of public ethics. This course explores key texts in this contemporary debate. Each of the authors we consider (Rawls, Hayek, Sandel, MacIntyre, and others) is looking to explain how a contemporary political community can incorporate individual freedom with social cohesion - liberty with community.

Four credits.

Prerequisite(s): Open to Junior or Seniors.