Details

Subject(s)

• Aron, Raymond 1905-1983 [Browse]
• Political science—Philosophy—History—20th century [Browse]
• Liberalism—France—History—20th century [Browse]
• France—Intellectual life—20th century [Browse]

Series

Ideas in context ; 124. [More in this series]

Summary note

Raymond Aron is widely regarded as the most important figure in the history of twentieth-century French liberalism. Yet his status within the history of liberal thought has been more often proclaimed than explained. Though he is frequently lauded as the inheritor of France's liberal tradition, Aron's formative influences were mostly non-French and often radically anti-liberal thinkers. This book explains how, why, and with what consequences he belatedly defined and aligned himself with a French liberal tradition. It also situates Aron within the larger histories of Cold War liberalism and decolonization, re-evaluating his contribution to debates over totalitarianism, the end of ideology, and the Algerian War. By exposing the enduring importance of Aron's student political engagements for the development of his thought, Iain Stewart challenges the prevailing view of Aron's early intellectual trajectory as a journey from naïve socialist idealism to mature liberal realism, offering a new critical perspective on one of the twentieth century's most influential intellectuals.

Notes

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 18 Oct 2019).

ISBN

9781108695879 (ebook)

Statement on language in description

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