Spheres Of Justice

A Defense Of Pluralism And Equality

By Michael Walzer | Publisher: Basic Books

About the book

A classic of twentieth-century political thought on the nature of justice.

“This is a humane and hopeful vision, and Mr. Walzer conveys it with a wry and gentle grace.” ―New York Times Book Review 

In this landmark work, Michael Walzer makes the provocative claim that the real enemy of a just society is not inequality itself but domination—the quiet way that wealth turns into power and power into deference until an advantage in one corner of life rules over the others. Walzer offers instead a vision of what he calls complex equality, which requires that we recognize that justice is not one thing but many. Each social good, whether money or education or even love, belongs to its own sphere and follows its own rule. Society, he argues, can be just only when no one can parlay their advantages in one sphere to dominate their fellow citizens. Eschewing abstract first principles and working from the shared understandings of real communities, Spheres of Justice remains one of the most compelling challenges to abstract universalism ever written.

Editions of Spheres Of Justice

Hardcover
ISBN 9780465081905
EBook
ISBN 9780786724390

Read an Excerpt

A classic of twentieth-century political thought on the nature of justice.

“This is a humane and hopeful vision, and Mr. Walzer conveys it with a wry and gentle grace.” ―New York Times Book Review 

In this landmark work, Michael Walzer makes the provocative claim that the real enemy of a just society is not inequality itself but domination—the quiet way that wealth turns into power and power into deference until an advantage in one corner of life rules over the others. Walzer offers instead a vision of what he calls complex equality, which requires that we recognize that justice is not one thing but many. Each social good, whether money or education or even love, belongs to its own sphere and follows its own rule. Society, he argues, can be just only when no one can parlay their advantages in one sphere to dominate their fellow citizens. Eschewing abstract first principles and working from the shared understandings of real communities, Spheres of Justice remains one of the most compelling challenges to abstract universalism ever written.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spheres Of Justice about?

A classic of twentieth-century political thought on the nature of justice.

“This is a humane and hopeful vision, and Mr. Walzer conveys it with a wry and gentle grace.” ―New York Times Book Review 

In this landmark work, Michael Walzer makes the provocative claim that the real enemy of a just society is not inequality itself but domination—the quiet way that wealth turns into power and power into deference until an advantage in one corner of life rules over the others. Walzer offers instead a vision of what he calls complex equality, which requires that we recognize that justice is not one thing but many. Each social good, whether money or education or even love, belongs to its own sphere and follows its own rule. Society, he argues, can be just only when no one can parlay their advantages in one sphere to dominate their fellow citizens. Eschewing abstract first principles and working from the shared understandings of real communities, Spheres of Justice remains one of the most compelling challenges to abstract universalism ever written.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Spheres Of Justice?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government

Where can I read a sample of Spheres Of Justice?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780465081905

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Spheres Of Justice?

Michael Walzer

Who is the Publisher of the book Spheres Of Justice?

Basic Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Spheres Of Justice is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780465081905) and ebook(ISBN 9780786724390)

Where can I buy Spheres Of Justice online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Spheres Of Justice from below

Where can I buy Spheres Of Justice?