Danielle Allen (1) (1971–)

Justice by Means of Democracy by Danielle Allen is an accessible and compelling argument for placing political equality as the base from which the other important aspects of a just society must flow.

While this is, as I said, very accessible it also warrants a careful reading. Allen lays her argument out very well and even when citing other thinkers, she explains their ideas so that those unfamiliar with them can follow. I am glad I was familiar with some of them, it certainly made it easier show more for me to understand, but even the parts that cited ideas that I didn't know I never felt lost.

I'm not going to try to put Allen's entire argument into a few sentences, I wouldn't do it justice and would likely emphasize the areas I knew best and skip those I don't. In addition to both a theoretical and a practical approach, what I find here is something I am finding in a lot more texts than back when I was either a student or an academic, namely the dynamic nature of big ideas we often, in the public sphere, think of as static.

Justice, freedom, democracy, and all of the systems and policies that work toward these ends need to be treated and acknowledged as dynamic, always being reconsidered in light of what is working and, more important, what isn't working. And the way to make sure we have the best information to make those ongoing assessments is to ensure that everyone is free to live their lives and speak their opinions in an open and constructive manner.

I would highly recommend this to readers who want to work toward a better world as well as those who have an academic interest in the topic. Hopefully the second group is also part of the first, but some do get caught up in the intellectual gymnastics and forget it all means nothing if not applied to the real world. This is a book that will reward multiple readings and, one hopes, extensive discussion.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less