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Single Idea 22251

[from 'The Individual, the State, and the Common Good' by John Haldane, in 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / g. Liberalism critique ]

Full Idea

I am interested in the claim that liberalism fails inasmuch as it neglects, and cannot accommodate, the fact that some or all of the goods we pursue, and which a system of rights is concerned to protect, are goods possessed in common.

Gist of Idea

Liberalism may fail because it neglects the shared nature of what we pursue and protect

Source

John Haldane (The Individual, the State, and the Common Good [1996], III)

Book Reference

'The Communitarian Challenge to Liberalism', ed/tr. Paul,E., Miller,F. /Paul,J. [CUP 1996], p.70


A Reaction

It depends how individualistic we take liberalism to be. Extreme individualism (Nozick) strikes me as crazy. If 'we' erect a statue to some dubious politicians, it might be presented as a common good, but actually be despised by many.