Isaiah Berlin: Liberty, Pluralism and Liberalism (Key Contemporary Thinkers) - Hardcover

"George Crowder offers a more richly theorized account of [Berlina s liberal political philosophy] than Berlin himself ever set out." History of Political Thought "Berlin is well served in this excellent book by his commentator, George Crowder. Crowder does a marvelous job of identifying the principle themes in Berlina s work, explaining Berlina s motivations, correcting prevalent misunderstandings, and responding on his subjecta s behalf to important criticisms. Even where Crowder identifies indictable silences on Berlina s part ---- his saying little or nothing, for instance, about social justice and cultural pluralism ---- he suggests what Berlin could, and should, have said about matters...In respect of Berlina s writings, we can now be much clearer about what is at stake, where we are in need of further good arguments, and what lines of thinking we might profitably pursue. Berlinsa vision is clearer to us both in its strengths and in its weaknesses." Perspectives on Politics, American Political Science Review ---- December, 2005 (reviewed by David Archard, Lancaster University) "Crowder deftly expounds the links between liberty and pluralism in Berlin's work, which he subjects to a sympathetic yet penetrating critique. In so doing, he offers an important interpretation of Berlin, and makes a substantive contribution of his own to our understanding of this topic." Professor Richard Bellamy, Academic Director ECPR, Department of Government, University of Essex "This is an impressive book, which dominates the existing critical studies of Berlin." Dr. David Miller, Nuffield College, University of Oxford "Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism is the most balanced, comprehensive, and insightful examination of Berlin's thought yet written. Everyone interested in the history and future of liberal thought can profit from Crowder's painstaking study." William A. Galoston, Saul I. Stern, Professor of Civic Engagement and Director, Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, University of Maryland

In this new assessment, Crowder argues that Berlin's political thought is exciting and powerful but also marked by a tension between its liberal and pluralist elements. He goes on to suggest how that tension can be resolved by arguments that go beyond the case actually presented by Berlin while remaining within the spirit of his general outlook.