Michael Walzer

Michael Walzer

Professor Emeritus, The Institute for Advanced Study

Michael Walzer is one of America's leading political philosophers. He is a professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey and editor of Dissent, a left-wing quarterly of politics and culture. He has written on a wide range of topics, including just and unjust wars, nationalism, ethnicity, economic justice, social criticism, radicalism, tolerance, and political obligation. He is also a contributing editor to The New Republic and a member of the editorial board of Philosophy & Public Affairs. To date he has written 27 books and has published over 300 articles, essays, and book reviews. He is a member of several philosophical organizations including the American Philosophical Society.

1 min
The major 20th century American philosopher was John Rawls, and he has had a very significant influence, although he is probably not a household name.
3 min
Philosophy needs to interact with the more ordinary moral conversation of humankind in order to stay relevant.
2 min
Putting the question thus essentializes cultures, Walzer says.
2 min
Someone has to intervene in Darfur, Michael Walzer says; not necessarily the U.S.