This book seeks to salvage liberalism, as a form of political association and as a unique culture, from the wreck of the Enlightenment. Following the lead of John Rawls’s work since 1980, Bridges seeks to rethink the fundamental concepts and moral ideals of liberalism in ways that support the recovery and affirmation of the particularistic cultural identity of the West.
“The Culture of Citizenship is provocative, path-breaking scholarship. In it Thomas Bridges presents liberal political philosophy as in retreat from its traditional confidence in the 'modernist anti-rhetorical rhetoric of pure theory.' Instead, Bridges argues, figures such as John Rawls are inching toward a 'rhetorical turn' toward context, culture, and history, a direction this book seeks to accelerate. To this end, the book explores the often surprising and deeply challenging implications this rhetorical turn holds for the philosophy of politics and culture.” — William M. Sullivan, La Salle University
“The topic pursued here is of the utmost importance. Before we accept the postmodern critique, we want to be sure that the alternative can preserve the elements of our culture that we treasure most highly. The project to construct a postmodern civic culture is, then, extraordinarily important.” — Richard Dees, St. Louis University
Thomas Bridges is Professor of Philosophy in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Montclair State University.
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