Politics 374 - Liberalism & Its Critics

Most western democracies and characterized as liberal states. But what is the philosophy of liberalism? Where does it come from? What are its promises? What are its contradictions and flaws? In this course, we will examine liberalism's origins, its relationship with individual rights discourses, the liberties that it supposedly guarantees, and the principle of toleration, justice, and fairness that secure its foundations. In addition, we will analyze some prominent critiques of liberalism such as those found in the works of communitarians, value pluralists, critical and egalitarian theorists, conservatives, and post-modernists.

Prereq: At least one 200-level Political theory course