Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The most prevalent and shocking trend in recent global politics is the rise of populism and the corresponding crisis of faith among law-based democratic institutions. These seismic changes demand that greater attention be paid to the role society plays in forming and challenging laws--and how the law copes with these challenges. In Law and Society in a Populist Age, Amitai Etzioni--a leader in sociological thought since the 1960s--argues for a new liberal communitarian approach as an effective response to populism. Covering a broad set of concerns including national security, personal privacy, and freedom of the press, this book offers a timely investigation of the relationship between citizens and the law in our world today.
Synopsis
The law-based, political institutions in many democratic societies are being challenged by fast-growing populist movements, parties, and leaders. In other nations, the state is failing. These seismic changes call for greater attention to be paid to the role society plays in forming and challenging laws--and how the law copes with these challenges. Amitai Etzioni, one of the most respected thinkers in the US, argues for a new liberal communitarian approach as an effective response to populism. This recognizes that different members of the society have differing values, interests, and needs that cannot be fully reconciled to legislation in a populist age. The book considers the core challenge in a variety of contexts, including national security versus privacy, private sector responsibility, freedom of the press, campaign finance reform, regulatory law and the legal status of terrorists. Thus the book offers a timely discussion of key issues for contemporary society and the relationship of the law to the citizen in a fast-changing environment.
Synopsis
Amitai Etzioni, one of the most respected thinkers in the US, argues for a new liberal communitarian approach as an effective response to populism. This recognizes that different members of the society have differing values, interests, and needs that cannot be fully reconciled to legislation in a populist age.
The book considers the core challenges in contexts including national security versus privacy, private sector responsibility, freedom of the press, campaign finance reform, regulatory law and the legal status of terrorists. It offers a timely discussion of the relationship of the law to the citizen in a fast-changing environment.