Word: barish
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Opening with a forward by George McGovern and written in a pugnacious ra-ra style, David P. Barish's The L Word fully lives up to its secondary title: "An unapologetic, thoroughly biased, long-overdue explication and celebration of liberalism." Unfortunately, Barish's unswerving enthusiasm for liberalism borders on blindness and epitomizes the book's shortcomings...
...Barish aims first to define liberalism and point out its virtues as a solution for the main problems facing American society today. Reasoning that "Liberal's don't need new ideas nearly as much as they need faith and confidence in their old ones," Barish points out with historical examples how all of the progress in America--indeed in Western civilization--is rooted in classical liberalism: a protection and awareness of individual rights based on rational thought...
...David P. Barish...
...Barish sees modern liberalism as the logical embodiment of these older beliefs. Modern liberalism ensures individual rights through government action. Barish cites school desegregation, the right to choose abortion and labor's right to unionize as some of the tangible accomplishments of modern liberalism. Each of the chapters outlines a specific issue or fundamental ideological belief--like the historical record of war and peace or the view of innate morality versus immorality of humans--and points out the virtues of liberalism when compared to its polar opposite, conservatism...
...Word is best when Barish sticks to specific issues and when he offers actual critiques and solutions. Especially clear is Barish's discussion of the contradictions of Reagan conservatism, which touted "old-time values" while supporting selfish individualism. He also effectively critiques the inability of current liberals to produce an outstanding leader and the meek unwillingness of existing leaders to proclaim support for liberal policies...