The Dissenter

#1024 Matthew McManus: The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism

Nov 25, 2024
Matthew McManus, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Michigan, dives deep into liberal socialism's intriguing roots. He discusses key figures like Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft, emphasizing their critiques of inequality. The conversation explores how liberal socialism aligns with social democracy while critiquing wealth accumulation. McManus also addresses the historical interplay with Marxism and John Stuart Mill's contributions. The dialogue navigates the tension between hope and current far-right ideologies, calling for a reassessment of traditional liberal ideals.
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INSIGHT

Core Moral Commitments Of Liberalism

  • Liberalism's moral core combines moral equality, liberty, and sometimes fraternity.
  • These commitments motivate protections like rights, toleration, and civic solidarity.
INSIGHT

Why Social Ownership Matters

  • Socialism centers on social or democratic ownership of productive assets and equality claims.
  • Socialists argue true liberty and equality require transforming ownership to prevent domination by capital.
INSIGHT

Defining Liberal Socialism's Three Principles

  • Liberal socialism blends normative individualism with methodological collectivism and a developmental ethic.
  • It seeks economic democracy inside a liberal rights framework, resisting sacred private control of production.
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