William A Edmundson Knihy

The first detailed reconstruction of the late work of John Rawls, further developing his ideas of 'justice-as-fairness'.

The idea of socialism is making a comeback, particularly among rising generations. Their interest is likely to prove transitory, however, if socialism ignores their yearning for individual autonomy. Why should “soloists” embrace socialism? In this highly original new book, William Edmundson argues that there are compelling reasons for even the most resolute of individualists to embrace socialism. Political equality is incompatible with private ownership of the means of production – which today incorporates not only the highway system, the currency, and the power grid but also platforms like Amazon, Facebook, and Google. Socialism is therefore essential to protect the basic liberal rights and freedoms that underpin our social contract. This pathbreaking defence of liberal democratic socialism will be essential reading not only for all on the left, but also for students and scholars of liberalism, libertarianism, and the social contract.

The story of the Great Western of Brazil Railway, tracing the line's history from the conception of its constituent parts, through its financially turbulent period of private operation, to the seemingly inevitable nationalisation in 1950. Throughout the book, the author places the history of the railway in the context of the social history of contemporary Brazil.