In this classic work, Thomas Sowell analyzes the two competing visions that shape our debates about the nature of reason, justice, equality, and power: the “constrained” vision, which sees human nature as unchanging and selfish, and the “unconstrained” vision, in which human nature is malleable and perfectible. He describes how these two radically opposed views have manifested themselves in the political controversies of the past two centuries, including such contemporary issues as welfare reform, social justice, and crime. Updated to include sweeping political changes since its first publication in 1987, this revised edition of A Conflict of Visions offers a convincing case that ethical and policy disputes circle around the disparity between both outlooks.
Eric Wilson’s Review: This book is not about Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals. It is far more fundamental than that. This gets to the heart and minds of people’s ideological thinking and why. Not sure if I am naive or arrogant but I did disagree silently in the absolutes of the two “visions” but this is still an absolute must read and amazing perspective into politics and reason. Must admit it reads a lot like a textbook (which I enjoy) but like a good novel, wherever you put the book down you are anxious to learn what is coming next. This is a book not only for the serious student of political science, but for anyone who wants a better understanding of what leads honest and sincere individuals to hold extraordinarily divergent views.
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