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rachaelprest's review
4.0
Enlightening, depressing, hopeful. An excellent trip through the history of liberalism.
kingarooski's review
5.0
Nationalism claims that liberalism represents the powerful. In fact, liberalism is the shield that protects the powerless. It is the safeguard for those who have no other defences. When it fails, there is nothing left.
A powerful and accessible history of liberal thought, from Descartes through to current times. Ian Dunt writes with passion and clarity about why liberal thought matters now, maybe more than ever. He takes us through the troubles liberalism has faced in the past and the development of modern liberal thought. Far from dry and academic, the writing is easy to follow and engaging. A must-read for all living through these turbulent times.
A powerful and accessible history of liberal thought, from Descartes through to current times. Ian Dunt writes with passion and clarity about why liberal thought matters now, maybe more than ever. He takes us through the troubles liberalism has faced in the past and the development of modern liberal thought. Far from dry and academic, the writing is easy to follow and engaging. A must-read for all living through these turbulent times.
alfie_bridgen's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A fantastic book! All of the core concepts and key thinkers were explained so eloquently and gives you a real insight into the fascinating story of liberalism, its successes and failures in recent years and the ways in which liberalism can adapt to the future. As well as that, the book really brings to light key figures and events that are frequently emitted from mainstream descriptions of liberalism, which gives the ideology a new and exciting perspective.
zzt's review
4.0
All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing
Dunt tells us that liberals are good men - and that means white European and USA men.
He doesn't think economics is a fundamental point (other than it being rich men who have to time to ponder liberal philosophy)
He makes the excuse that liberals 'missed' the boat on issues, or didn't grasp their importance and it was only when they did that change happened.
He ignores the European empires and repression to a footnote or two
He ignores the racism and expulsion of blacks from Europe after WW1, kicking racism into a late 20th century phenomenon
He doesn't mention that European and USA constitutions are based upon capitlaist racism, claiming it is some abberation when it gets out of hand, instead of being ingrainde
What he wants is a bunch of white people (liberal philosophy is white European for him) to take credit for everything good in the world
Dunt tells us that liberals are good men - and that means white European and USA men.
He doesn't think economics is a fundamental point (other than it being rich men who have to time to ponder liberal philosophy)
He makes the excuse that liberals 'missed' the boat on issues, or didn't grasp their importance and it was only when they did that change happened.
He ignores the European empires and repression to a footnote or two
He ignores the racism and expulsion of blacks from Europe after WW1, kicking racism into a late 20th century phenomenon
He doesn't mention that European and USA constitutions are based upon capitlaist racism, claiming it is some abberation when it gets out of hand, instead of being ingrainde
What he wants is a bunch of white people (liberal philosophy is white European for him) to take credit for everything good in the world
mducks's review
4.0
All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing
Dunt tells us that liberals are good men - and that means white European and USA men.
He doesn't think economics is a fundamental point (other than it being rich men who have to time to ponder liberal philosophy)
He makes the excuse that liberals 'missed' the boat on issues, or didn't grasp their importance and it was only when they did that change happened.
He ignores the European empires and repression to a footnote or two
He ignores the racism and expulsion of blacks from Europe after WW1, kicking racism into a late 20th century phenomenon
He doesn't mention that European and USA constitutions are based upon capitlaist racism, claiming it is some abberation when it gets out of hand, instead of being ingrainde
What he wants is a bunch of white people (liberal philosophy is white European for him) to take credit for everything good in the world
Dunt tells us that liberals are good men - and that means white European and USA men.
He doesn't think economics is a fundamental point (other than it being rich men who have to time to ponder liberal philosophy)
He makes the excuse that liberals 'missed' the boat on issues, or didn't grasp their importance and it was only when they did that change happened.
He ignores the European empires and repression to a footnote or two
He ignores the racism and expulsion of blacks from Europe after WW1, kicking racism into a late 20th century phenomenon
He doesn't mention that European and USA constitutions are based upon capitlaist racism, claiming it is some abberation when it gets out of hand, instead of being ingrainde
What he wants is a bunch of white people (liberal philosophy is white European for him) to take credit for everything good in the world
sillypunk's review
5.0
Very good read: https://blogendorff.com/2023/01/27/book-review-how-to-be-a-liberal/
ojaypm's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Excellently written book, compelling and a really good balance of complex political philosophy theory and engaging readable prose.
There are a few assertions and statements that I need to think about more (and this is primarily why I score 4.5 rather than 5) but I really enjoyed this book.
There are a few assertions and statements that I need to think about more (and this is primarily why I score 4.5 rather than 5) but I really enjoyed this book.