Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-359) and index.

Introduction: John Rawls and the crisis of American liberalism -- Justice as fairness -- The second principle of justice -- "Choosing" principles of justice in the original position -- A just constitution -- Economic justice -- Civil disobedience vs. the right of resistance -- "Goodness as rationality," self-respect, and Rawlsian jurisprudence -- The sense of justice -- The just and the good -- Political liberalism I : principles -- Political liberalism II : applications -- "The idea of public reason revisited" -- The law of peoples -- Conclusion.

"Schaefer challenges John Rawls's practically sacrosanct status among scholars of political theory, law, and ethics by demonstrating how Rawls's teachings deviate from the core tradition of American constitutional liberalism toward libertarianism"--Provided by publisher.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2009. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.