Overview

In this book, Stefan Borg reconstructs and engages a contemporary strand of thought known as postliberalism. Postliberalism, Borg argues, advances a distinct critique of liberalism, as well as an emphasis on the common good as a corrective to the perceived shortcomings of liberalism. The central claim is that the two dominant forms of post-World War II liberalism, market liberalism and social liberalism, rather than being somehow opposed, have coalesced around a political project that above all seeks to maximize the conditions under which individual autonomy can be exercised. As a result, the liberal sociopolitical order has become increasingly inept at nurturing the communal resources that underpin human sociability. A work of contemporary intellectual history, Borg re-creates the birth of postliberalism, compares both British and American strands of postliberal thinking and reconstructs postliberalism across disciplines. In addition, Borg argues that while the postliberal critique resonates with segments on the political Right as well as the Left, postliberal prescriptions, which revolve around the promotion of the common good, are more controversial. Engaging and thought-provoking, The Return of the Common Good: The Postliberal Project Left and Right is suitable for a broad set of readers and an invaluable guide to further debates on liberalism and populism.

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9781032873596

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Reviews

Stefan Borg’s superb treatment of the rise of “postliberal” theory moves beyond polemics, offering a careful and fair inspection what has sent others to extremes of praise and rage. Investigating postliberalism in two places, The Return of the Common Good also probes its implications for international politics and gender and sexuality. The result is an indispensable guide to a current debate. Samuel Moyn, author of Liberalism against Itself A superb synthesis of startling conceptual clarity and scholarly rigour. Borg has written the best book to date on the origins and outlook of post-liberalism. He establishes definitively that the British and American strands of post-liberal politics differ fundamentally on pluralism and capitalism. A vital contribution to understanding one of the most influential intellectual and political projects of our times. Adrian Pabst, author of Postliberal Politics The rise of the post-liberal project gains momentum and is attracting a great deal of interest. Until now, however, it has been the subject of hastily written opinion pieces and polemical disputes, rather than rigorous scholarly analysis. This urgently needed publication finally puts an end to that. It is thoroughly researched, well-argued, and illuminating. Anyone seeking to understand post-liberalism must read this book. Veith Selk, author of Demokratiedämmerung. Eine Kritik der Demokratietheorie

Author Information

Stefan Borg is Associate Professor in Political Science at the Swedish Defence University. His current research agenda includes contemporary critics of liberalism, as well as U.S. foreign and security policy. He has previously written a book on the theoretical foundations of European integration European Integration and the Problem of the State: A Critique of the Bordering of Europe (2015), and published articles in a number of international journals.

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