Description
Book SynopsisFreedom and Political Order explores the traditional meaning of freedom in the American experience and its relation to other characteristically American values and institutions. Such an exploration necessarily touches upon relevant historical experience, but it extends beyond a history of freedom toward wider fields of inquiry, including and especially, moral and political philosophy. Political philosophers throughout the ages have been concerned with a question of perennial significance to human experience: what are the rules that ought to govern human relations in society or, less formally, how should human beings treat one another? Such a question is unavoidable for human beings. Its necessity derives from the nature of things, from the fact that human existence is essentially social or political existence. The rare Robinson Crusoe aside, No man is an island', and from birth to death every person encounters other human beings with whom he must interact. Every society has thus establ
Trade ReviewFreedom and Political Order: Traditional American Thought and Practice is an ambitious and thoughtful work of political philosophy by one of America’s greatest political theorists. This book is not only an indispensable resource for scholars, it’s a guide for understanding and thinking further about the relationship between liberty and politics. This book is a gem. -- Khalil M. Habib, Salve Regina University
Abraham Lincoln astutely remarked that the American nation was "the almost chosen people." In that spirit, Linda Raeder’s outstanding book describes the historical uniqueness and the political brilliance of the American experiment as envisioned by its Founders. The author writes with an informed clarity about this remarkable political vision—its origins, its history, its distinctive characteristics. Yet she also warns against particular ideological forces that threaten to undermine limited government, individual rights, political freedom, and other constitutional safeguards against tyranny. Highly recommended! -- Paul Copan, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Chapter 1: Freedom and Law Chapter 2: Freedom and Rights Chapter 3: The Nature and Purpose of Government: A Lockean View Chapter 4: Liberal Democracy Chapter 5: Constitutional Considerations Bibliography About the Author
