Rethinking Liberalism for the 21 st Century: The Skeptical Radicalism of Judith Shklar (Routledge Studies in Social and Political Thought)

Book Details:

• Author: Giunia Gatta

• Brand: Routledge

• Edition: 1

• Binding: Hardcover

• Pages: 154

• Release Date: 18-05-2018

• EAN: 9780815383833

• Package Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book:

"Rethinking Liberalism for the 21st Century" by Giunia Gatta presents a deep reexamination of the life, work, and political contributions of the influential liberal political theorist of the 20th century, Judith Shklar. Through the exploration of published and unpublished sources—such as Shklar’s personal correspondence, lecture notes, and manuscripts—Gatta offers a fresh and theoretically radical interpretation of Shklar’s liberalism.

The book is divided into two parts. In the first part, Gatta meticulously reconstructs Shklar’s life, providing a thorough understanding of her journey in political theory. Gatta examines Shklar's critique of the term "modernity" while exploring her admiration for Enlightenment thinkers, such as Rousseau and Hegel, thus illuminating Shklar’s unique position within the liberal tradition.

In the second part of the book, Gatta discusses Shklar’s liberalism of permanent minorities, arguing that Shklar’s contributions offer a fundamental rethinking of liberalism as the political philosophy of outsiders. This liberalism, Gatta posits, is not based on rigid foundations but is instead guided by complex understandings of cruelty and fear, advocating for a more inclusive, nuanced liberal philosophy.

Key Features:

• Radical Reinterpretation of Liberalism: Gatta presents Shklar’s liberalism as politically radical and a philosophy that aligns with permanent minorities, rejecting the notion of liberalism as a static political philosophy.

• Philosophical and Political Insights: The book delves into Shklar’s nuanced understanding of cruelty and fear, providing a fresh take on liberal theory’s engagement with modern social and political challenges.

• Engagement with Modern Political Thought: It reorients traditional liberal policies to address contemporary political debates, offering a more meaningful intervention in the political landscape.

• Thorough Use of Primary Sources: Gatta draws from Shklar’s personal manuscripts, lecture notes, and correspondence, offering a comprehensive insight into her intellectual legacy.

Why This Book is Important:

• Reevaluating Liberal Thought: Rethinking Liberalism for the 21st Century offers a new framework for understanding liberalism, positioning it as a political philosophy for outsiders, thus creating a platform for more inclusive and dynamic political dialogue.

• Reinterpreting Judith Shklar's Legacy: Gatta provides a deep dive into Shklar’s contributions, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of one of the 20th century’s most important liberal theorists.

• Relevance to Modern Debates: This book is invaluable to those engaged in contemporary political theory and practice, as it highlights liberalism's potential to address ongoing societal challenges, particularly the plight of marginalized groups.

"Rethinking Liberalism for the 21st Century" is an essential read for anyone interested in political theory, the history of political thought, philosophy, and the study of liberalism in the modern world. By offering a radical reinterpretation of Shklar’s work, it provides readers with a revolutionary lens through which to engage with contemporary political issues.