Discussion Board (2): Very Good Answers
688 Words
Liberalism and republicanism each place distinct burdens on individuals who subscribe to their
ideology. The distinction between these two sorts of burdens stems from the different
communities and conceptions of the good life that liberalism and republicanism individually
defend. Republicans defend an exclusive community based largely on commonality (Oldfield,
80). Republicanism also holds that the good life, and therefore the life that all individuals should
aspire to, is one concerned mainly with politics, and taking part in the decisions that the polity
makes as a whole (Oldfield, 79). Thus, republicanism burdens citizens with the requirement to be
politically active and civically involved in one’s community. On the other hand, liberalism
defends “…open, diverse, critical, experimental, uncertain, and ever–changing societies” or
communities (Macedo, 279). These communities that liberalism defends are less exclusive and
require less commonality than those presented by republicanism. Additionally, liberalism does
not establish a fixed conception of the good life. Instead, liberalism allows individuals to
determine and pursue their own conception of the good life, so long as they do not interfere with
the goods of others. In other words, liberalism presents individuals with the possibility and
responsibility to choose their own life plans (Macedo, 278-280). This ability to choose places
burdens on liberals. Choice is a burden because it requires individuals to critically and
continually analyze, reflect upon, revise, and possibly publicly defend the choice they have made
(Macedo, 282). The burden of choice associated with liberalism is more demanding than the one
placed by civic republicanism. Although republicanism requires individuals to be continuously
politically active within their communities, choosing requires citizens to experiment, come to
decision, reflect on that decision, and constantly revise that decision based on new information.
When one discusses the ability to choose, one may not necessarily think of it as a burden.
However, as Stephen Macedo explains, “An identity is no longer simply given, it must be
achieved and it is always open…Our potentialities and projects must be discerned, developed,
and sustained in an uncertain an ever-changing world. What some people will experience as an
adventure, others…will find unbearably burdensome” (Macedo, 280). The fact that there is not a
predetermined life plan for us, makes each individual responsible for deciding for himself what
they will pursue in life. Just as Macedo has explained, while some may be happy having the
option to explore and come to decision, others may find this process painstaking. Furthermore,
Macedo explains that “Liberalism imposes burdens of choice on individuals in a pluralistic
milieu without the assurance of complete and final right answers to the question of how to live”
(Macedo, 280). This uncertainty derives from having choices and living in such a diverse society
which liberalism presents to individuals. Individuals faced with so many life options, must
continuously weigh their choice against the endless number of others options to see if they have
made the “right” decision. Yet Macedo explains that “If the virtues of liberalism entail certain
cost and losses, these seem to me well worth bearing” (Macedo, 283-284). Here, Macedo
acknowledges that liberalism may present individuals with a burden of choice and a degree of
uncertainty, yet such a burden is appropriate in light of the freedom that liberals gain.
The burden of choice is much different than the burden placed on individuals by republicanism.
Richard Dagger explains that, “Real’ or ‘true’ citizenship requires commitment to the common
good and active participation in public affairs” (Dagger, 149). The burden is the requirement of
participation in public affairs, and more specifically taking part in the decisions that the polity
makes as a whole. Although republicanism does require citizens to continuously participate in
public matters with the common interest in mind, the burden of choice presents individuals with
the more intellectually demanding tasks of self-determination and constant justification of their
decisions. Macedo explains that, “liberal citizens have good reason for a Millian self-confidence”
because they have critically reflected upon their choices based largely on reason (Macedo, 282).
The combination of task that the burden of choice places on individuals not only makes it more
demanding, but also reinforces the individual decision of the good life.
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Word Count: 684
Stephen Macedo writes that diversity and freedom of choices are necessary in liberalism so
people are able to pursue their own interpretations of the good life. He argues that liberalism
recognizes the social plurality among humans and refuses the republican belief that a state has
the ability to force a common good life over a wide range of people. “The neutral state may not
seek to ‘foster or implement any conception of the good life that some people reject’, for only
then can it respect ‘the equal freedom that all persons should have to pursue their conception of
the good life” (Macedo, 261). Liberalism is unique because it ascertains the capacity for
individuals to achieve his or her good life, but leaves the individual to attain it for his or herself.
Although liberalism does not guide and guarantee individuals to a good life, it provides the
