| A Conflict of Visions: Idealogical Origins of Political Struggles | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 54 reviews)
Sales Rank: 6722
Category: Book
Author: Thomas Sowell
Publisher: Basic Books
Studio: Basic Books
Manufacturer: Basic Books
Label: Basic Books
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: Revised
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 0465002056
Dewey Decimal Number: 303.372
EAN: 9780465002054
ASIN: 0465002056
Publication Date: June 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 49 more reviews...
 More Genius from an Immortal Genius November 18, 2008
It's unfortunate that we only have a 1 to 5 star system here for ratings because Thomas Sowell deserves better than that. If we had 100 stars I'd give him 99 for everything I've read by him. This is the fourth book I've consumed by this great master of economics and with every page he becomes more and more of a legend. A Conflict of Visions is a perfect counterpart to The Vision of the Anointed. Conflict is a more philosophical book and I preferred Anointed for that reason (which I'd give a 100 out of 100) as more current examples are fleshed out. Neither one though is really a political book. They are much more psychological and philosophical than anything else. With Sowell, you uncover the way human beings actually are and what greater gift can a writer give than that kind of enlightenment? I cannot think of one. I do agree with another reviewer about the language, however. Unconstrained and constrained are not the best of terms but you'll understand the dichotomy between them clearly by the time you've finished. Incidentally, NR had a five part interview with Sowell concerning this book last week which occasioned my pulling it out and finishing it over the weekend. Basically, with any of the Sowell books you can't go wrong. Race and Culture is next on my list.
Best Book You Can Read on Idealogy November 12, 2008
Mr Sowell had produced a masterpiece. He avoids buzz words and changes the words liberal and conservative to neutral terms. He then closely examines the foundational differences between the two opposing philosophies. Mr Sowell manages to do all of this in understandable terms.
What makes A Conflict of Visions so good is the author exposes the major unstated assumptions made by each side. He does not criticise either position, he just sets out to explain the deepest roots of each position and trace it to the modern world. The author never makes a judgemental statement. Philosophy doesn't get any better than this.
If anyone is trying to understand political philosophy, or modern politics this is a must read. Mr. Sowell tells the reader how the same terms (what is fair for example) are thought of in totally different ways by the differing positions. This is why the opposing sides talk past one another. They both use the same terms but never define them - they just assume the other side means the same thing by fairness (or whatever) as they do, when in fact the meaning of what is fair differ completely from the points of view of the philosophies.
One quick example: When side A says something is fair they mean the system was fair and all people had the same basic chance; however, when side B says something is fair they mean the RESULTS were fair. Side A doesn't mind if the results seem unfair as long as the system was fair, but even if side B thinks the system was fair, if the results are unfair (in their mind) then the whole thing is unfair and must be adjusted.
Thus, when one group of people are poor and another rich side A is OK with that as long as the system for getting poor or rich was basically fair; however, side B feels that if the finances are unequally distributed then it is unfair because the RESULTS are unfair.
So when the A side is arguing with the B side and both are yelling about fairness they see fairness in totally different ways and are arguing past one another.
A wonderful book, at a good price. Buy it!
 Tough reading, but worth the effort! October 28, 2008
If you want to know why Republicans believe what they do, and why Democrats believe what they do, read this book. Evenhanded (although Sowell is a conservative market capitalist), this work gives you great insight into the variying politics of freedom, equality, and justice ... regardless which side of an issue you're on. Unlike Sowell's weekly editorial columns, which are pretty easy to read, this work is unnecessarily packed with "very large words." Read slow, and keep your dictionary handy, because "Conflict Of Visions" is truly excellent.
One of my favorites July 2, 2008
This is an amazing book. What a great premise. In this book Prof. Sowell argues that the basis of political ideology generally comes from two viewpoints concerning human nature. One, the unrestrained, where man is limitless in his capacity to improve himself and the world, and restrained, where man is forever limited and must rely on reason and caution. Whatever viewpoint one has on human nature naturally is prism for all views on society, issues such as how a government should work, what is real "equality", what is justice ect.
The best part of this book is it generally is unbiased. Thomas Sowell is a conservative economist who works at a conservative institution. However, in his academic works I continue to notice a deep sense of responsibility in not stacking the cards in his position's favor. Sadly in a world where many intellectuals feel far better trumpeting their pesonal agendas, it is good to know there are some in academia who still favor neutrality.
A Vision of Visions June 27, 2008
This is a fascinating book that will change the way you see the world. Like all visions, there is much that is left out or oversimplified by Sowell's analysis. Nevertheless, it is an extremely worthwhile read. Sowell is clearly widely read in economics, political philosophy, and social thought, and the book is remarkable for its ability to convey the essence of complex thinkers like Friedrich Hayek in an easily digestible form. Even if you're read your Smith, Mill, and others, you'll still learn a lot from this book.
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