Putting Liberalism in Its Place

Review
[This] is a beautifully written meditation on the sources of political meaning that cannot be justified by rational argumentation. It challenges the reader to acknowledge that politics is a fundamentally amoral enterprise that resembles romantic love more than rational debate. -- Margaret Kohn Political Theory Paul W. Kahn's outstanding book alluringly explains the perplexity of liberalism in its post-September 11 situation. -- Samuel Moyn Ethics and International Affairs Putting Liberalism in Its Place is a real success. It is learned, clear, forceful, and loaded with quotable lines. Most importantly, it takes a much needed shot across the bow of academic liberal theory. -- Dan Silver Foundations of Political Theory This intriguing book is filled with challenging ideas and supplies some missing ingredients of the intellectual groundwork of liberalism. -- James Magee Law and Politics Book Review Paul W. Kahn ... argue[s] that liberal theory lacks the conceptual resources to understand political life... Kahn sees liberalism as a philosophy for a postmodern condition, which may be emerging in Europe, where the state may be losing its grip on the moral imagination and 'politics [is] stripped of the political.' The book offers a provocative argument and is well written. Choice
Review
[This] is a beautifully written meditation on the sources of political meaning that cannot be justified by rational argumentation. It challenges the reader to acknowledge that politics is a fundamentally amoral enterprise that resembles romantic love more than rational debate.
(Margaret Kohn Political Theory )
Paul W. Kahn's outstanding book alluringly explains the perplexity of liberalism in its post-September 11 situation.
(Samuel Moyn Ethics and International Affairs )
Putting Liberalism in Its Place is a real success. It is learned, clear, forceful, and loaded with quotable lines. Most importantly, it takes a much needed shot across the bow of academic liberal theory.
(Dan Silver Foundations of Political Theory )
This intriguing book is filled with challenging ideas and supplies some missing ingredients of the intellectual groundwork of liberalism.
(James Magee Law and Politics Book Review )
Paul W. Kahn . . . argue[s] that liberal theory lacks the conceptual resources to understand political life. . . . Kahn sees liberalism as a philosophy for a postmodern condition, which may be emerging in Europe, where the state may be losing its grip on the moral imagination and 'politics [is] stripped of the political.' The book offers a provocative argument and is well written.