Building a Community of Citizens

The writers in this book put up beacons to provide guidance. They come from both liberal and conservative traditions, but it is remarkable how little difference political ideology makes. What illuminates their thought is a common recognition that the loss of civic virtue is corroding our society from the inside, and a shared belief that (if we act fast) the center can still hold. -- Kelly Green, SOJOURNERS * The Philadelphia Inquirer *
A strong volume on a vital theme, one important not only to Americans but to all free citizens—and those who would be free citizens—as we enter the 21st century. Readers will find challenging contributions from a variety of philosophical and political perspectives. Recommended for scholars and for all concerned citizens. -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * The Philadelphia Inquirer *
Nearly every book on public policy published nowadays demands that we strengthen our communities. But what we need instead is some practical advice on exactly how we are supposed to do it, and 'Building a Community of Citizens' undertakes to give us that advice....the book is consistent in outlook....The essays are very helpful... -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * First Things *
The residual political component of Eberly's paradigm limits its potential as a basis of society-wide consensus. But the paralyzing level of political polarization we experienced in 1995 and continue to face in 1996 makes Eberly's core concern for rebuilding civil society timelier than ever. -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror
[The book's] 23 essays are all well-written, and all reflect the soul-searching of men and women deeply committed to the restoration of a decent society as they envision it. -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * Southeastern Political Review *
The book is worth reading... The topic covered is an important one, and... provide[s] a great deal of food for thought. -- Kelly Green, SOJOURNERS
The writers in this book put up beacons to provide guidance. They come from both liberal and conservative traditions, but it is remarkable how little difference political ideology makes. What illuminates their thought is a common recognition that the loss of civic virtue is corroding our society from the inside, and a shared belief that (if we act fast) the center can still hold. -- Kelly Green, SOJOURNERS * The Philadelphia Inquirer *
A strong volume on a vital theme, one important not only to Americans but to all free citizens—and those who would be free citizens—as we enter the 21st century. Readers will find challenging contributions from a variety of philosophical and political perspectives. Recommended for scholars and for all concerned citizens. -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * The Philadelphia Inquirer *
Nearly every book on public policy published nowadays demands that we strengthen our communities. But what we need instead is some practical advice on exactly how we are supposed to do it, and 'Building a Community of Citizens' undertakes to give us that advice....the book is consistent in outlook....The essays are very helpful... -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * First Things *
[The book's] 23 essays are all well-written, and all reflect the soul-searching of men and women deeply committed to the restoration of a decent society as they envision it. -- Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, University of Chicago; author of Just War Against Terror * Southeastern Political Review *
Uniformly clear, the concise essays build toward easily digestible conclusions. -- Peter Augustine Lawler, Berry College * Southeastern Political Review *