Liberal Socialism: An Alternative Social Ideal Grounded in Rawls and Marx

(Hardback)

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Should we be looking for alternatives to the western worlds status quo of neo-liberal capitalism Should we be seeking a new form of freedom for a more just and better social world Drawing on Rawlss theory of justice and Marxs critique of capitalism, this book answers those questions in a resounding affirmative. Some think that a just society for Rawls cannot promote a better social world unless it is acceptable to all but, this wrongly treats Rawls as a supporter of minimal government. Setting this aside, the book argues that the ideas of justice behind political and media pundit support of neo-liberal capitalism are faulty, and should be replaced with a Rawlsian idea of justice. Resistance to the idea that an acceptable theory of justice can say that capitalism is unjust is overcome by showing that capitalism, as Marx sees it, must be unjust on Rawlss theory of justice because it breaches the difference principle and involves exploitation of employees. Reasons are then given for a new society that will be just under a modified Rawlsian idea of justice and will promote the Marxian good of free social cooperation on projects pursued independently of demands of nature. What a free life lived in this new society means is spelled out and shown to be acceptable. This book concludes by asking whether society can set out on a path to a better social world.

Reviews

Ian Hunts Liberal Socialism is both a powerful contribution to the critique of hegemonic modes of justification for neoliberal capitalism, and an important attempt to synthesise elements from Marx and Rawls into an alternative to this unjust social ideal. While I dont share all of Hunts political conclusions, his book deserves to be taken seriously by all those concerned with challenging the injustices characteristic of the modern world. -- Paul Blackledge, Leeds Beckett University

Author Bio

Ian Hunt is associate professor of philosophy at Flinders University.