Continuum Liberalism and Value Pluralism (Political theory & contemporary politics)

Value pluralism is the idea, associated with the late Isaiah Berlin, that fundamental human values are irreducibly plural and incommensurable. Ends like liberty, equality and community are intrinsic goods which can neither be ranked in an absolute hierarchy nor translated into units of a common denominator. If that is true, how can we choose among such values when they come into conflict in particular cases? In particular, what reason is there to justify the value ranking characteristic of liberal democracy, favouring personal autonomy and toleration? Recent commentators have seen value pluralism as undermining the traditional claims of liberalism to universal authority, rendering it at best no more than one political form among others with no greater claim to legitimacy. Against that view, George Crowder argues that a strong distinctive case for liberalism as a universal project is implied by value pluralism itself. Reflection on the elements of value pluralism yields a set of ethical principles, including respect for universal values, rejection of political utopianism, promotion of value diversity, accommodation of reasonable disagreement, and cultivation of civic virtues. Those principles are best satisfied by a liberal form of politics characterised by a strong commitment to personal autonomy, by policies of moderate redistribution and multiculturalism, and by constitutional restraints on democractic politics. This is the first book-length defence of liberalism on the basis of value pluralism, complementing and extending the work of Berlin and others. Review "Liberalism and Value Pluralism is surely the most sophisticated of recent attempts to marry the two camps [of liberalism and value pluralism]. Crowder writes with clarity and generosity. The rigor and care of his analysis, the remarkably systematic presentation, the charity with which he interprets opposing viewpoints-all of these make the book an enjoyable and deeply sympathetic read. Crowder has written a book that many will find compelling and persuasive. It is also, indisputably, an impressive contribution to the literature." -Chad Cyrenne, EthicsA really excellent and thorough synthesis of the argument so far, which also makes numerous original contributions; immediately the standard work on the subject. - Henry Hardy, The Isaiah Berlin Virtual Library George Crowder s book reformulates the key terms of the debate, and thus develops a new and original position. The book is written with exceptional clarity, offering frequent recapitulations of the overall argument and careful statements of how each section fits into the overall scheme. - J. Donald Moon, Perspectives on Politics An impressive and important book. - William A. Galston, Australian Journal of Political Science Clearly written and carefully argued, this book will be of interest to scholars, graduate students and advanced undergraduates. - Stephen L. Newman, Political Studies Review About the Author George Crowder has taught political philosophy in Britain, the United States, Eastern Europe, and Australasia, and is currently Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.