Classical Liberalism: The Unvanquished Ideal

Political Philosophy is widely regarded as having been revived by the publication in 1971 of John Rawls' Theory of Justice. That work defended welfare-state liberalism, at that time the prevailing orthodoxy. A profound challenge was put to this orthodoxy by the publication in 1974 of Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State and Utopia. In arguing minimal government to be morally superior to all rivals, Nozick helped reawaken interest in classical liberal ideas. Ever since, the ideal of minimal government has been under assault from three principal sets of critics. First, egalitarian welfare liberals find intolerable the level of inequality it allows. Second, communitarians claim it destroys community. Third, conservatives allege it undermines the basis for the patriotic allegiance on which they claim states rely for legitimacy and stability. Classical Liberalism defends minimum government against these charges, arguing it best advances human well-being.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Introduction Classical Liberalism Modern Liberalism Communitarianism Conservatism Conclusion Notes Bibliography Name Index Subject Index

About the Author :
DAVID CONWAY is Professor of Philosophy and Head, School of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Middlesex University. He was educated at the Universities of Cambridge and London. His previous publications include A Farewell to Marx. His main research interests are in moral and political philosophy.

Review :
'In sum Conway's book presents a powerful and I think unanswerable response to hostile critics of classical liberalism.' - Antony Flew, The Salisbury Review ' ...a book that breaks with libertarian orthodoxy by attempting to come down squarely on the consequentialist side of the fence, and a book that, as a result, is the most convincing case for libertarianism in print.' - Jeffrey Friedman, Critical Review 'Conway's exceptionally well-organised defence of classical liberalism is well worth the attention of all students of political theory.' - David Gordon, The Mises Review 'This is an outstanding work of scholarship in the long-neglected philosophy of classical liberalism. It demonstrates for the student and the general reader the strengths of classical liberalism over other schools of thought in explaining the historic transformation of societies in recent years in all continents.' - Arthur Seldon, Founder President of the Institute of Economic Affairs 'As a summary of the arguments for classical liberalism, and of the chief criticisms to which it has been exposed, Conway's book seems to me invaluable.' - John Gray, Jesus College, Oxford