Free and Equal
What Would a Fair Society Look Like?
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Narrated by:
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Daniel Chandler
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By:
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Daniel Chandler
About this listen
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 AudioCritic reviews
What listeners say about Free and Equal
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- Eithne K.
- 25-12-23
Clear and Concise
The author really puts Rawls theory into clear and simple language in a modern context. 100% recommend.
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- Roy
- 23-05-23
Free & Equal
Absolutely essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the art of the possibly in creating a fair society, brilliantly narrated.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-11-23
Clever and inspiring blueprint for a better society
This young man is very clever, managing to capture Rawls’ philosophical ideas and, more importantly, provide practical examples of how they could be implemented, based on successful pilot projects around the world. It deserves a wide readership, including all political leaders and teenagers.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-10-23
Important read.
Thought-provoking and comprehensive call for discussion of the future of democratic society. Deserves more readers.
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- Barry Ogilvie
- 23-06-23
Well presented with clear aspersions as to the direction of travel for a fair and equal society!
Most of what is stated in this book is in line with my own views and beliefs which I have espoused for many years without having the privilege of a higher education myself!
I think personally a change in how we are governed eg; proportional representation needs to be taken before we can move forward in any meaningful way!
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- Attila Stagl
- 16-11-23
good on philosophy
This book made me think a lot, and the philosophy is really interesting, although I think the economy presented would not stand much scrutiny.
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- Seagoon
- 08-05-23
Essential, foundational, inspirational text.
A new almanac for any and all progressive thinkers, political campaigners, academics and activists who are seeking, indeed craving, answers to the many apparently insuperable sociopolitical challenges we face in the current age.
Based on a reappraisal of the works of the political philosopher, John Rawls, "Free and Equal" is an exceptionally comprehensive guide towards an achievable utopia. Meticulously researched, each subject is expertly analysed, any historical aspects reviewed and causes identified, and the solutions clearly presented.
This is a totemic work, on a par with Thomas Piketty, and a timely beacon of hope - not driven by any ideology, but by a research-based scientific approach.
Some may find the author's gentle speaking style a bit soporific, but this is a slight cast of shade on a hugely rewarding listen.
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- Daisy Welham
- 25-02-24
It’s good for what it is
Chandler starts by presenting the ideas of John Rawls. He briefly summarises ideas that oppose Rawls, but it doesn’t feel like a thorough argument in favour of Rawls’ ideas is ever presented and the reader is assumed to have been convinced by this.
Later in the book he sets out a vision for creating a society based on Rawls’ ideas, and while some of the ideas expressed certainly are liberalism, a lot of them are not liberal but socialist.
Some of the statistics used are dubious; the reader should take the numbers Chandler gives with a pinch of salt and consider the context of those numbers.
If you want a summary of the ideas of John Rawls and how to apply them, this book is the one for you. If you want thorough arguments for liberalism, I recommend the work of Ian Dunt over this.
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