This book contributes to contemporary debates about multiculturalism and democratic theory by reflecting upon the ways in which claims about culture and identity are actually advanced by immigrants, national minorities, aboriginals and other groups in a number of different societies. Carens advocates a contextual approach to theory that explores the implications of theoretical views for actual cases, reflects on the normative principles embedded in practice, and takes account of the ways in which differences between societies matter. He argues that this sort of contextual approach will show why the conventional liberal understanding of justice as neutrality needs to be supplemented by a conception of justice as evenhandedness and why the conventional conception of citizenship is an intellectual and moral prison from which we can be liberated by an understanding of citizenship that is more open to multiplicity and that grows out of practices we judge to be just and beneficial.

Joseph Carens is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto. His book Culture, Citizenship, and Community: A Contextual Exploration of Justice as Evenhandedness won the 2002 C. B. Macpherson Award from the Canadian Political Science Association.

Joseph H. Carens' profile page

'This book is an excellent example of the evolution of discussions by contemporary political theorists about the requirements of justice for cultural minorities in democratic polities.' Canadian Journal of Political Science

'Carens' analysis of Quebec's policy of integrating immigrants is most persuasive.' Rhoda E.Howard-Hassmann, Human Rights Quarterly, 23:2, May 2001

'A provocative work that advances liberal theory.' E. R. Gill, CHOICE, Nov.00, Vol.38, No.3.

'Caren's aim is simply to contribute to the 'ongoing conversation' about multiculturalism; and as such, it is very interesting.' Monica Mookherjee, Political Studies, Vol.49, No.1

'This is a very fine volume, densely and carefully argued, beautifully written, by a thoughtful individual trying to balance competing demands in multicultural democracies for cultural and collective as well as individual, rights.' Rhoda E.Howard-Hassmann, Human Rights Quarterly, 23:2, May 2001