Liberty and Equality in Political Economy: From Locke versus Rousseau to the Present (New Thinking in Political Economy series)

'In an age of specialization, Capaldi and Lloyd have recreated that ancient tool of learning: the conversation. Beginning with the debate between Locke and Rousseau, and continuing through to Galbraith, Friedman, Hayek and Piketty, this book invites the reader to join a conversation which has now lasted over three centuries. Don't read this book if you just want a simple answer to complex problems. Do read this book if you want to think deeply and widely about the fundamental questions of how to organize a society.'
- Jim Hartley, Mount Holyoke College

'Liberty and Equality in Political Economy takes the reader across a convincing roadmap of how and why the ongoing conversation between Lockean Liberty and Rousseau Equality provides an evolutionary explanation of the development of formal and informal institutions that define Western Civilization and explain their consequences. This book should be a must-read for undergraduate and graduate students in humanities and social sciences.'
- Svetozar (Steve) Pejovich, Texas A&M University

Liberty and Equality in Political Economy is an evolutionary account of the ongoing debate between two narratives: Locke and liberty versus Rousseau and equality. Within this book, Nicholas Capaldi and Gordon Lloyd view these authors and their texts as parts of a conversation, therefore highlighting a new perspective on the texts themselves.

The authors argue that the debate initiated between Locke and Rousseau continues to define political economy today. They not only explore the strengths of each narrative, but also indicate how proponents within each will respond to their rivals. Other important views in economics and philosophy, including the works of Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Michael Oakeshott, are examined in conjunction with Locke; the works of the French Revolution, Proudhon, Marx and Engels, the Progressives, Keynes, Galbraith, Rawls, and Piketty reflect Rousseau's divergent views. Together this provides a rich exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of modern economics and politics.

This comprehensive analysis will be of interest to philosophers, political theorists, and economists who wish to join the conversation. Graduate and undergraduate students in political theory, history of economics, political philosophy, and business ethics courses will also find this book valuable.