Hardback : £24.26
An uplifting vision of a new, egalitarian liberalism, and a bold practical programme for how we can reinvigorate democracy and transform capitalism
Despite the enormous problems we face and widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, it's surprisingly hard to find a coherent vision of what a better, fairer society would look like.
Free and Equal provides that vision. In this hugely ambitious and exhilarating debut, philosopher and economist Daniel Chandler argues that the ideas we need are hiding in plain sight, in the work of the twentieth century's greatest political philosopher, John Rawls. Although they have revolutionised philosophy, his ideas have had little impact on politics - until now. Taking Rawls's humane and egalitarian liberalism as his starting point, Chandler builds a careful and ultimately irresistible case for a progressive agenda that would fundamentally reshape our political and economic institutions.
This is a book brimming with hope and possibility - a much-needed alternative to the cynicism that pervades our politics, setting out a 'realistic utopia' that can galvanise people from all walks of life. Free and Equal has the potential not only to transform contemporary debate, but to offer a touchstone for a modern, egalitarian liberalism for many years to come, cementing Rawls's place in political discourse, and firmly establishing Chandler as a vital new voice for our time.
An uplifting vision of a new, egalitarian liberalism, and a bold practical programme for how we can reinvigorate democracy and transform capitalism
Despite the enormous problems we face and widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, it's surprisingly hard to find a coherent vision of what a better, fairer society would look like.
Free and Equal provides that vision. In this hugely ambitious and exhilarating debut, philosopher and economist Daniel Chandler argues that the ideas we need are hiding in plain sight, in the work of the twentieth century's greatest political philosopher, John Rawls. Although they have revolutionised philosophy, his ideas have had little impact on politics - until now. Taking Rawls's humane and egalitarian liberalism as his starting point, Chandler builds a careful and ultimately irresistible case for a progressive agenda that would fundamentally reshape our political and economic institutions.
This is a book brimming with hope and possibility - a much-needed alternative to the cynicism that pervades our politics, setting out a 'realistic utopia' that can galvanise people from all walks of life. Free and Equal has the potential not only to transform contemporary debate, but to offer a touchstone for a modern, egalitarian liberalism for many years to come, cementing Rawls's place in political discourse, and firmly establishing Chandler as a vital new voice for our time.
Daniel Chandler is an economist and philosopher based at the London School of Economics. He has degrees in economics, philosophy and history from Cambridge and the LSE, and was awarded a Henry Fellowship at Harvard where he studied under Amartya Sen. He has worked in the British Government as a policy advisor in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit and Deputy Prime Minister's Office, and as a researcher at think tanks including the Resolution Foundation and Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Can a philosopher help dig us out of the political hole we’re in?
In Free and Equal Daniel Chandler makes a robust and inspiring case
for the philosophy of John Rawls, dragging his theory of justice
down from Harvard’s ivory towers and into the street with the
people. In clear and impassioned style he returns Rawls to the
centre of the conversation, re-establishing his work as a potential
agent of radical – and practicable – change . . . a book that is
both intellectually rigorous and full of hope
*Zadie Smith*
A beautifully written and compelling argument that Rawlsian
political philosophy can heal our broken societies and make us,
indeed, free and equal
*Sir Angus Deaton, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics*
This is a fantastic book. More than ever, we need philosophers to
participate in the public debate about inequality and
sustainability. In Free and Equal Daniel Chandler provides us with
the moral basis for an ambitious egalitarian agenda, and a roadmap
for putting this into practice. It is a must-read!
*Thomas Piketty, author of Capital in the 21st Century*
A vigorous case for adopting the liberal political framework laid
out by John Rawls. . . . Chandler is a lucid and elegant writer,
and there’s an earnest sense of excitement propelling his argument
— a belief that Rawls’s framework for thinking through political
issues offers a humane way out of the most intractable
disputes.
*New York Times Book Review*
The most excellent book … substantive and beautifully expressed
suggestions for improving almost everything
*James O’Brien*
A brilliantly eloquent, incredibly insightful reimagining of
liberalism
*Owen Jones*
An exceptionally sane, judicious essay on what a viable democracy
entails... [Chandler] develops a realistic, humane - and in its
way, revolutionary - vision of a society committed to equity,
inclusion and accountability. It should become an indispensable
tool in political debate in the years ahead
*Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury*
So many of the answers to our dilemmas about democracy and
inequality can be found in the philosophy of John Rawls. Daniel
Chandler brings those answers to life with contemporary evidence
and solutions. Read Free and Equal and feel hopeful about the
future
*Minouche Shafik, President of Columbia University*
Daniel Chandler argues that Rawls’s ideas can help us build a
fairer society, from strengthening democracy to tackling
inequality. Chandler has an excellent background on the
philosophical issues that are central to practical policy making,
and given the lucidity and reach of what he writes, this book will
meet a very important need
*Amartya Sen, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics*
Many of us wonder idly why we can’t live in a kinder world. Daniel
Chandler has done us all a significant favour by devising a
powerful analysis of exactly why the world is not presently kind
and how it might become more so. An inspiring work which returns
political philosophy to its rightful position: that of working out
how to make things better
*Alain de Botton, author of The Consolations of Philosophy*
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