Liberalism, Community, and Culture (C Cpb T Clarendon Paperbacks N) [Paperback]

Will Kymlicka (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198278713 | ISBN-13: 978-0198278719 | Publication Date: March 14, 1991

Liberalism is often described as a theory about the proper relationship between the individual and the state. But liberalism also contains a broader account of the relationship between the individual and society. Kymlicka here presents the liberal view about the nature and value of community culture in an unusually explicit and systematic way, and links it to more familiar liberal views on individual rights and state neutrality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above."--Choice

"This excellent book, while forming a perfectly coherent whole, fulfils two major purposes. It is a highly lucid and informed discussion-the most comprehensive yet-of the debate between liberals and communitarians, and defense of liberalism against both communitarian and Marxist critiques. It is also a very powerful liberal argument for the protection of the collective rights of minority cultures...essential reading for political and legal theorists and philosophers who are interested in real, urgent political issues. It should become a core text in graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in contemporary political theory. It is to be hoped, too, that it will be read and considered seriously by those who are making policy decisions about the collective rights needed to protect minority cultures. Kymlicka has given us a first book that is always highly intelligent, clear, readable, and focused on crucial issues-and sometimes brilliant."-- Political Theory

"A provocative analysis of the place of cultural membership in liberal theory, as well as an excellent elaboration and defense of liberal principles."--American Political Review

"The best philosophical treatment of minority rights issues that I know of. His book deserves to be widely read and discussed."--Canadian Philosophical Review

"An ambitious and closely argued book. It engages with rigour and insight some of the central issues in the contemporary debate between liberals and communitarians...I encourage anyone who is interested in political philosophy to read the book."--Philosophical Books

About the Author

Will Kymlicka teaches in philosophy departments at the University of Toronto and Queen's University, Canada

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 14, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198278713
• ISBN-13: 978-0198278719
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars liberal theory and minorities, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Liberalism, Community, and Culture (C Cpb T Clarendon Paperbacks N) (Paperback)

This is Will Kymlicka's first book, based on his doctoral dissertation, and it is his best. It is an outstanding defense of liberal theory's capacity to accomodate cultural concerns, particularly the concerns of minority groups. Kymlicka argues that culture need not be separated from the state in liberal theory because cultures provide the context of meaningful choice for individuals. Cultural rights, then, are an integral part of liberal theory because of their value to individuals. This thesis is of enourmous significance within the field of political theory since most contemporary advocates of identity politics argue in favour of group rights without real concern for the status of the individual. There are, to be sure, some weaknesses in the book, but these are far outweighed by Kymlicka's carefully constructed arguments which nicely blend theory with actual cases. The book, unlike some of Kymlicka's more recent works, is not for a general audience, but it is a very sophisticated academic text and should be required reading in all graduate courses in contemporary liberal theory.