From one of America’s most distinguished constitutional scholars; an intriguing exploration of America’s most famous political tract and its relevance to today’s politics In An Argument Open to All; renowned legal scholar Sanford Levinson takes a novel approach to what is perhaps America’s most famous political tract. Rather than concern himself with the authors as historical figures; or how The Federalist helps us understand the original intent of the framers of the Constitution; Levinson examines each essay for the political wisdom it can offer us today. In eighty-five short essays; each keyed to a different essay in The Federalist; he considers such questions as whether present generations can rethink their constitutional arrangements; how much effort we should exert to preserve America’s traditional culture; and whether The Federalist’s arguments even suggest the desirability of world government.
#841114 in Books imusti 2015-03-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x .75 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 0300187807192 pagesYale University Press
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. What the history of Algeria; India; and Israel tell us about revolutionsBy Jerry WoolpyA review for by Jerry Woolpy of The Paradox of Liberation: secular revolutions and religious counterrevolutions by Michael WalzerUsing Algeria; India; and Israel as prototypes of contemporary revolutions; Walzer explains that secularists; oblivious and antagonistic to many of the religious traditions of the people; are inevitably followed by an overwhelming religious revival. For me the strength of the theory is that it traces the course of Israel from a secular democracy at its founding to a reactionary state of outdated Judaism. And by extension it may explain why American Jews; many of whom are part of the outdated tradition; have ignored what Israel has become. Religious people may join secular revolutions but they do not lose their religious fervor. And when the revolution is established they push back to restore its influence on laws and culture. So Israel; like Algeria and India; has returned to the very traditions that the revolutionaries failed to extinguish or revise. Religion; we see; is a function of people’s long term attitudes and it is very slow to change. Muslims in Algeria; Hindus in India; like Jews in Israel (and America) resist secularism; tolerance; and change even if they fought in or supported the revolution. Revolutionary leaders; Fanon in Algeria; Nehru in India; and Ben Gurion in Israel all had secular states in mind along with plans to update religious traditions. But the revolutions took precedent and religious reform did not happen. The book traces the particulars of the history of each of these emergent nations.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Within this book; Walzer suggests a general mechanism - ...By CustomerWithin this book; Walzer suggests a general mechanism - why religious counter-revolution follows secular liberation; mainly infering from Indian; Israeli and Algerian cases. This mechanism is not presented as "just a reaction"; but it is possible to identify within the liberation process the seeds that will; ultimately; lead to religious reemergence. The core causal element is a paradox that liberators face: when advancing modernization values; they risk alienating the very same people they want to liberate. Conversely; by establishing compromises with established religious authorities; liberators keep religious domination unchecked. In a more speculative tone; Walzer suggests that these two outcomes are not exaustive. Secular and religious groups could have engaged in taking in account the other side point of view. As a result; secular ideas would not be foreign and alien (as if artificially imposed); but truly an outcome of a societal argument - and not necessarely conforming to Western institutions. As a final note; I missed a bit more of historical contextualization to this later normative argument. It seems to me that these three cases happen in a moment of history when there was stronger belief in an 'one-model-fits-all' solution to secularization.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A fine analysis with a modestBy Jonathan SchwartzA fine analysis with a modest; comparative case method. No general covering laws are expected; indicating Isaiah Berlin's influence on the author.I wonder sometimes if the term "paradox" is fitting. Perhaps as an interpretation; not as an explanation. Surely there have been changes in the past half century. Intentions of liberation have "given way" to religious zeal and orthodoxy.Walzer uses the term "ambiguity" later in the text; which I think is a nuanced improvement over "paradox". When Walzer does attempt an explanation; he avoids the "vacuum" metaphor. Good. His conclusion then is more rooted in his own political/cultural history. Israeli leaders from the start ought ot have recognized their own long and creative histories in diasporas; instead of rejecting them. Again one finds traces of Isaiah Berlin. These traces might have been explored more fully. The final chapter on American history was fun reading. I will recommend this book to the Jewish-Danish community of which I am a long-term active member.
