The promise of liberal citizenship – its
vision of social and political membership
based on the paramount value of individual
freedom and the need to limit state power –
continues to inspire many throughout the
world. At the same time, the materialism,
inequality, and normative neutrality that are
often associated with liberalism are often
repellent, even to some of the same people
who admire its achievements. The rise of
religious fundamentalism coupled with arbitrary
and autocratic state power poses a particularly
acute threat to liberal citizenship In
the end, the allure of liberal citizenship. will
be assessed – at least by those polities whose
politics and economies leave them free
enough to consider it – according to how
effectively and fairly their states govern,
their markets create and distribute wealth,
and their societies define and value freedom.