The Open Society as an Enemy

<p>Nearly 80 years ago Karl Popper gave a spirited philosophical defence of the Open Society in his two-volume work <em>The Open Society and Its Enemies</em>. In this book J. McKenzie Alexander argues that a new defence is urgently needed because in the decades since the end of the Cold War many of the values of the Open Society have come under threat once again. Populist agendas on both the left and right threaten to undermine fundamental principles that underpin liberal democracies so that what were previously seen as <em>virtues</em> of the Open Society are now by many people seen as vices dangers or threats. </p><p></p><p><em>The Open Society as an Enemy</em> interrogates four interconnected aspects of the Open Society: cosmopolitanism transparency the free exchange of ideas and communitarianism. Each of these is analysed in depth drawing out the implications for contemporary social questions such as the free movement of people the erosion of privacy no-platforming and the increased political and social polarisation that is fuelled by social media.</p><p></p><p>In re-examining the consequences for all of us of these attacks on free societies Alexander calls for resistance to the forces of reaction. But he also calls for the concept of the Open Society to be rehabilitated and advanced. In doing this he argues there is an opportunity to rethink the kind of society we want to create and to ensure it is achievable and sustainable. This forensic defence of the core principles of the Open Society is an essential read for anyone wishing to understand some of the powerful social currents that have engulfed public debates in recent years and what to do about them. </p>