This book analyzes the problems of U.S. politics and public policy and proposes a solution rooted in a deep American consensus that often goes unrecognized. The authors critique three dominant ideological perspectives - conservative, radical, and liberal - and propose a fourth eclectic 'outcomes' perspective rooted in American pragmatism.

ALBERT HUNTER is professor of Sociology at Northwestern University, USA. Hunter has published numerous books and articles, includingSymbolic Communities (1974) andMultimethod Research (1989).

CARL MILOFSKY is Professor of Sociology at Bucknell University, USA, and author ofCommunity Organizations (1988) among others.

Prologue Malaise Rights Why Help? Markets, Inequality, and Social Efficiency: The Conservative View Class Conflict and the Radical View of the Common Good The Constructive Chaos of Pluralism Institutions, Social Policy, and the Death of the Old Social Science Moral Policy Implementing Pragmatic Liberalism: Leadership, Citizenship, and Community