Michael Walzer

Question 1

Michael Walzer’s view of who lives in America?

Answer 1

Immigration + diversity — “Anybody can live here, and just about everybody does.”

Question 2

What social mix environment does Michael Walzer see in America?

Answer 2

Ethnically mixed republic — “A union of… ethnic, racial, and religious groups.”

Question 3

What intellectual atmosphere influences Walzer?

Answer 3

Liberal pluralism

Question 4

What does Michael Walzer believe about American identity?

Answer 4

Political, not ethnic

“The adjective ‘American’ is a political adjective.”

Question 5

What does Walzer believe enables American unity?

Answer 5

Political oneness

“Oneness is political… manyness is cultural.”

Question 6

What is Michael Walzer’s main goal for America?

Answer 6

Balance the one and the many

Question 7

What does Michael Walzer fear most for America?

Answer 7

Forced unity

“Many giving way to the one is not our destiny.”

Question 8

What method does Michael Walzer use to make arguments?

Answer 8

“Pluralism… provides space for flourishing.”

Question 9

Who are Michael Walzer’s main opponents?

Answer 9

forced-assimilationists —

those who demand “oneness” over diversity.

Question 10

what does Michael Walzer say about American nationality

Answer 10

Nonexclusive nationality

— “America is not a jealous nation.”

Question 11

What does Michael Walzer say about being ‘American’?

Answer 11

Political identity

Question 12

What image best captures Walzer’s America?

Answer 12

Many-in-one — “A fastening… not a fusion.”

Question 13

What keeps America together in Walzer’s view?

Answer 13

Citizenship — “The parts are individual men and women.”

Question 14

Does Michael Walzer think think that unity should be

Answer 14

unity should ONLY be political (not cultural)

Question 15

What should all americans be “content” with

Answer 15

multiplicity (“deal with it”)

Question 16

to walzer what should we not expect

Answer 16

a rich civic life (only civic obligation = preserving institutes that protect our rights “protect your protection”)

Question 17

what is “the right is prior to the good”

Answer 17

protect people’s rights first, and don’t let the state enforce a single moral or religious vision of “the good life.”

Question 18

where do obligations come from to walzer

Answer 18

Obligations come from shared social meanings, within social cultures
• not from universal natural law (like natural duties),
• and not only from free contracts (like voluntary duties).