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Free and Equal

What Would a Fair Society Look Like?

by Daniel Chandler

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Narrator Daniel Chandler

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Length 12 hours 19 minutes

Language English

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Brought to you by Penguin.

Despite the enormous problems we face and widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, it's surprisingly hard to find a coherent vision of what a better, fairer society would look like.

Free and Equal provides that vision. In this hugely ambitious and exhilarating debut, philosopher and economist Daniel Chandler argues that the ideas we need are hiding in plain sight, in the work of the twentieth century's greatest political philosopher, John Rawls. Although they have transformed philosophy, his ideas have had little impact on politics - until now. In Free and Equal, Chandler shows us how they offer an intuitive yet powerful framework for addressing the urgent challenges we face, and an unparalleled resource for developing a transformative progressive politics.

Taking Rawls's humane and egalitarian liberalism as his starting point, and drawing on evidence from the social sciences and on inspiring examples from around the world, Chandler builds a careful and ultimately irresistible case for fundamentally re-designing our basic institutions - from how we can protect basic freedoms of speech, religion and sexuality whilst transcending the culture wars, to a completely new way of funding political parties and the media, to an economic agenda that would give everyone a fair share not just of income and wealth, but of power and control, dignity and self-respect.

This is a book brimming with hope and possibility - a much-needed alternative to the cynicism that pervades our politics, setting out a 'realistic utopia' that can galvanise people from all walks of life. Free and Equal has the potential not only to transform contemporary debate, but to offer a touchstone for a modern, egalitarian liberalism for many years to come, cementing Rawls's place in political discourse, and firmly establishing Chandler as a vital new voice for our time.

©2023 Daniel Chandler (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Business Politics & Economy Science & Technology Philosophy Nonfiction

Daniel Chandler (Author, Reader)
Daniel Chandler is an economist and philosopher based at the London School of Economics. He has degrees in economics, philosophy and history from Cambridge and the LSE, and was awarded a Henry Fellowship at Harvard where he studied under Amartya Sen. He has worked in the British Government as a policy advisor in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit and Deputy Prime Minister's Office, and as a researcher at think tanks including the Resolution Foundation and Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Audiobook details

Author Daniel Chandler

Narrator Daniel Chandler

ISBN 9780241612170

Length 12 hours 19 minutes

Language English

Publisher Penguin Books Ltd

Publication date April 20, 2023

Edition Unabridged

Genres Business, Politics & Economy, Science & Technology, Philosophy & Nonfiction

Reviews

If liberal democracy is to survive as a form of government, it needs a complete rethink. So argues Chandler in this rousing homage to the political philosopher John Rawls Welcomely ambitious ... Richly erudite and thoughtful ... A sanely conventional vision of a state reformed in the direction of ever greater fairness and equity, one able to curb the excesses of capitalism and to accommodate the demands of diversity A magnificent attempt to apply fundamental philosophical principles to the practical building of a better world. Far-reaching and well-evidenced, it offers a new, coherent, principles-based approach to policy design

A really vibrant piece of work, which provides social democrats with something there's been precious little of for a long time: inspiration

A beautifully written and compelling argument that Rawlsian political philosophy can heal our broken societies and make us, indeed, free and equal This is a fantastic book. More than ever, we need philosophers to participate in the public debate about inequality and sustainability. In Free and Equal Daniel Chandler provides us with the moral basis for an ambitious egalitarian agenda, and a roadmap for putting this into practice. It is a must-read! A book full of ideals and ideas, optimism grounded in action. It is as energising as it is timely Thought-provoking Lucid and well-informed This is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of the left, and indeed the future of liberal democracy In this very timely and refreshing book, Daniel Chandler argues that rather than abandon liberalism we must reimagine it. Free and Equal asks big questions about how human society should be organised, and offers answers all of us should take seriously, whatever our politics A beautifully clear, inspiring, wise book with the potential not only to reinvent liberalism, but to transform our societies for the better A rousing and original argument against hopelessness which will convince even the most jaded among us that a better public debate and a more just world are indeed within reach An exceptionally sane, judicious essay on what a viable democracy entails... [Chandler] develops a realistic, humane - and in its way, revolutionary - vision of a society committed to equity, inclusion and accountability. It should become an indispensable tool in political debate in the years ahead Fascinating A breath of fresh air... Engaging, clear and persuasive Powerfully argued and lucidly written Inspiring ... A stirring call for egalitarian liberalism based on the ideas of John Rawls Attractively written and strongly argued ... This is a welcome reminder of what progressive politics should be Brilliantly lucid . . . Chandler both explains and reinterprets the philosophy of the great liberal thinker John Rawls, offering fresh approaches to everything from spiralling poverty to entrenched educational inequality to the so-called culture wars In Free and Equal he seeks to reinvent liberalism as a relevant, radical doctrine . . . he mixes boldness and pragmatism A galvanising vision for society that uses the revolutionary ideas of American thinker John Rawls as its starting point Chandler traverses a range of political, economic and social issues, suggesting one reform or innovation after another. The manner in which he does this is impressive; he writes with great clarity Can a philosopher help dig us out of the political hole we’re in? In Free and Equal Daniel Chandler makes a robust and inspiring case for the philosophy of John Rawls, dragging his theory of justice down from Harvard’s ivory towers and into the street with the people. In clear and impassioned style he returns Rawls to the centre of the conversation, re-establishing his work as a potential agent of radical – and practicable – change . . . a book that is both intellectually rigorous and full of hope A brilliantly eloquent, incredibly insightful reimagining of liberalism So many of the answers to our dilemmas about democracy and inequality can be found in the philosophy of John Rawls. Daniel Chandler brings those answers to life with contemporary evidence and solutions. Read Free and Equal and feel hopeful about the future Daniel Chandler argues that Rawls’s ideas can help us build a fairer society, from strengthening democracy to tackling inequality. Chandler has an excellent background on the philosophical issues that are central to practical policy making, and given the lucidity and reach of what he writes, this book will meet a very important need Many of us wonder idly why we can’t live in a kinder world. Daniel Chandler has done us all a significant favour by devising a powerful analysis of exactly why the world is not presently kind and how it might become more so. An inspiring work which returns political philosophy to its rightful position: that of working out how to make things better Clear, brave, compelling. This book shows how to put values at the heart of politics in a rigorous way, and is an important contribution to the future of progressive politics A tremendous book, timely, wise, authoritative and clear Daniel Chandler is the most exciting new thinker on the scene, making the most complex of ideas digestible even for idiots like me. Free and Equal provides a refreshingly hopeful tonic for our cynical times. I gulped it down Invaluable . . . Chandler takes a set of universal principles around fairness, based on the philosophy of John Rawls, and applies them to the real world of liberal democracy Daniel Chandler’s provocative book helps make human possibilities more credible than they have been in our neoliberal age. Free and Equal doubles as an accessible guide to a leading philosophical system, and a call for a new agenda for justice in our time Chandler shows us how Rawls’s universal moral vision can be a lodestar for our times, helping us to collectively shape and debate a practical blueprint for a fair society and find our way out of our current political morass – let’s hope it is as widely read as it needs to be This is superb work, in both explaining Rawls for general readers and in applying Rawlsian principles to contemporary problems of social and political justice . . . It is impressive – clear, concise, thorough, and accessible This is a morally steadfast book, which liberalism’s honest opponents should take for their target, and which will enliven liberal theory and perhaps even reinvigorate liberal political practice A timely and thought-provoking look into society, Chandler’s insights are much needed in today’s world. Free and Equal offers a well-written perspective on how we live today and provides hope in practical ways for economies to operate for the better in the future An exemplary demonstration of how public reasoning can be done . . . Chandler’s virtue is his blend of philosophy with evidence-based policy. This is a kind of erudite public intellectualism reminiscent of Amartya Sen, and is a welcome respite from the knee-jerk moralism that dominates the op-ed pages and social media Serious, progressive, and grounded in a great political philosopher A shining example of how a lucid writer can develop practical proposals to improve society Genuinely original . . . An inspiring catalogue of fresh ideas each with a clear and jargon-free philosophical underpinning drawn from Rawls’ work Brilliant . . . there’s no doubt that Chandler is answering a yearning for something . . . a crisp exposition of Rawl’s principles . . . Skipping freely between gritty evidence and high theory, and grappling impressively and impatiently with practical obstacles to change . . . Chandler is reminiscent of his one-time teacher, Amartya Sen A refreshing and useful contribution to envisioning a better world . . . Free and Equal provides a model for what politically engaged philosophy should look like Sparkles with insight and intelligence . . . strikingly innovative The thinker of the moment . . . Free and Equal offers a manifesto for change shaped by the ideal of a fair society. Clearly expressed and strongly argued Timely and optimistic . . . a bold attempt to resuscitate the ideas of John Rawls An inspiring and achievable vision for a better society . . . that rarest of things: a comprehensive and down to earth blueprint for a “fair” society . . . a book all liberal egalitarians and democratic socialists should read for its wisdom, lucidity and above all visionary realism A vigorous case for adopting the liberal political framework laid out by John Rawls. . . . Chandler is a lucid and elegant writer, and there’s an earnest sense of excitement propelling his argument — a belief that Rawls’s framework for thinking through political issues offers a humane way out of the most intractable disputes. The most excellent book … substantive and beautifully expressed suggestions for improving almost everything Expand reviews

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