Single Idea 21115

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / g. Liberalism critique]

Full Idea

Communitarians say that liberalism could only justified by appealing to controversial assumptions that are not universally shared, such as the significance of choosing one's own plan of life.

Gist of Idea

Liberalism should not make assumptions such as the value of choosing your own life plan

Source

Andrew Shorten (Contemporary Political Theory [2016], 01)

Book Reference

Shorten,Andrew: 'Contemporary Political Theory' [Palgrave 2016], p.8


A Reaction

In the past, at least, huge numbers of people have been perfectly happy living a life designed for them by their parents. It is not much consolation for a disastrous life that at least you planned it yourself. Liberal values are not self-evident.