After 1989

Library Journal

Lord Dahrendorf directed the London School of Economics from 1974 to 1984 and, more recently, has been warden of St. Antony's College at Oxford University. This work consists of a series of lectures delivered in the aftermath of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. "Utopia expired in the final weeks of the memorable year, 1989," he writes. "She had been poorly for some time, and few attempts were made to save her life." For Dahrendorf, the only viable alternative to bureaucratic socialism is liberal democracy, but he warns against expecting too much from constitutional and free-market structures. In particular, Dahrendorf is perturbed by the rise of "communitarian" doctrines that offer a respite from internationalism, liberalism, and capitalism. But he concludes that "it is hard to deny that the question of meaning remains unanswered in East and West, and the search for an answer may well provide the subject of the struggles of the next phase of history." Recommended for larger libraries.Kent Worcester, Marymount Manhattan Coll., New York

Booknews

A collection of lectures on Europe after the revolution of 1989, by a former member of Willy Brandt's first government in Germany. Touches on topics such as citizens in search of meaning, morality and civil society, the public responsibility of intellectuals, and democracy. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.