From Pluralist to Patriotic Politics: Putting Practice First - Hardcover

The book is rich in analysis, imaginative in sources and metaphors, and an education to read. Furthermore, the central message is an important one. (Canadian Journal of Political Science)

Charles Blattberg's book provides a hopeful alternative to conventional reasoning about conflict. He elucidates many philosophical concepts in the course of his argument that are themselves very interesting to the theorist of politics. (Nations and Nationalism)

From Pluralist to Patriotic Politics offers a new way of approaching conflict that transcends the traditional zero-sum conception of competing interest ... a new political outlook based on an interesting blend of philosophical traditions ... the construction of Blattberg's arguments is well grounded in the literature, and is presented with an air of humour to them. (Nations and Nationalism)

... among the mass of work on related issues now appearing, a genuinely original and worthwhile contribution. (Philosophy)

... a fascinating book about political philosophy. (Democratization)

An excellent study of contemporary democratic theory, well versed in the classics of political philosophy. (Choice)

The moral and political philosophy of pluralism has become increasingly influential. To pluralists, when values genuinely conflict we should aim to strike an appropriate balance or trade-off between them, though this means accepting that compromise will be inevitable. Politics, as a result, appears as a thoroughly tragic affair. Drawing on a 'hermeneutical' conception of interpretation, the author develops an original account of practical reasoning, one which assumes that, though making compromises in the face of conflicts is indeed often unavoidable, there are times when reconciliation, as distinct from compromise, is feasible. For this to be so, however, citizens must strive to converse - and not just negotiate - with each other, thus fulfilling the good that is at the heart of their shared political community. This is the central message of the patriotic alternative to pluralist politics that the author defends here.