{"product_id":"uncommon-sense-9780300272567","title":"Uncommon Sense","description":"\u003cb\u003eA spirited defense of the Enlightenment against assaults from both the left and the right that explains its urgent implications for our contemporary politics\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Ours is an age when optimism about politics is hard to come by. Ian Shapiro explains why this is so and, without minimizing the daunting challenges, spells out an appropriate response. Written in the indomitable spirit exemplified by Tom Paine, \u003ci\u003eUncommon Sense\u003c\/i\u003e is a rich source of insight and inspiration in dark political times. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The Enlightenment commitments to reason and science are under assault from the Postmodern Left and the Authoritarian Right. Shapiro explains why the attacks are misguided and politically destructive. He agrees with the critics that there are no universal principles of justice that transcend political battles and no fair, impartial rules to govern the distribution of income, wealth, rights, or opportunities. But abandoning the search for them as futile does not mean junking the Enlightenment's core political goal: to deploy the tools of reason and science to fight domination. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Democracy is essential to vindicating that goal, yet citizens in many democracies are profoundly alienated and many democracies are in danger of failing. Shapiro explains what has gone wrong, debunks ill-considered remedies, and spells out better ones--deepening and extending his previous writing on political theory and democratic politics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIan Shapiro\u003c\/b\u003e is Sterling Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs at Yale. He has written widely and influentially on democracy, justice, and the methods of social inquiry. His recent books include \u003ci\u003ePolitics against Domination\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eResponsible Parties \u003c\/i\u003ewith Frances Rosenbluth, and \u003ci\u003eThe Wolf at the Door\u003c\/i\u003e with Michael Graetz.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Yale University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50509881180434,"sku":"9780300272567","price":120.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e069dc5b-688d-411d-ae05-8800e058a7db.jpg?v=1730910522","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/uncommon-sense-9780300272567","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}