Book Review: Trust in a Polarized Age

David Gordon

doi:10.35297/qjae.010105

Abstract

Kevin Vallier, a philosopher at Bowling Green State University, is a leading advocate of “public reason liberalism,” and his latest book is a distinguished contribution that's friendlier to free markets than others coming out of this school of thought. _Trust in a Polarized Age_ tries to establish that "liberal rights help to generate trust for the right reasons."

Highlights

Kevin Vallier, who teaches philosophy at Bowling Green State University, is a leading advocate of “public reason liberalism,” and his latest book is a distinguished contribution to that school of thought
He has in his past work been substantially more favorable to the free market than most of his fellow public reason liberals, and that tendency continues in the book we have before us to examine
I shall first briefly explain his main project, which I have to say I do not accept; but after that, I shall concentrate on some points in the book of great merit, regardless of what one thinks of his variant of public reason

Summary

Introduction

Kevin Vallier, who teaches philosophy at Bowling Green State University, is a leading advocate of “public reason liberalism,” and his latest book is a distinguished contribution to that school of thought. He has in his past work been substantially more favorable to the free market than most of his fellow public reason liberals, and that tendency continues in the book we have before us to examine. I shall proceed in a somewhat unusual way, and Professor Vallier has good cause to complain against me, if so minded, for doing so.

Results

Conclusion