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LIBERAL POLITICAL THEORY IS DIVIDED BETWEEN A FORMALISTIC APPROACH THAT IS PHILOSOPHICALLY SECURE BUT REMOTE FROM THE PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL LIFE AND AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH GROUNDED IN PRACTICAL CONCERNS BUT MORALLY RUDDERLESS. THIS ARTICLE ARGUES THAT LIBERALISM'S CONTINUING STRENGTH REQUIRES THAT THESE PERSPECTIVES BE BRIDGED. WHAT IS NEEDED, THE AUTHOR CONTENDS, IS A FORM OF LIBERAL ARGUMENTATION THAT IS AT ONCE PHILOSOPHICALLY SECURE AND POLITICALLY RELEVANT, AND HE OFFERS A WAY IN WHICH THIS MIGHT BE ACCOMPLISHED.

Despite its enduring appeal, the republican vision of political life has been the subject of numerous recent criticisms. Both its relevance to an age of large-scale organizations and its desirability in an era which professes concern for individual autonomy has been questioned. However, a reconsideration of these challenges to republicanism suggests that they can be effectively met without sacrificing the core values of republicanism. Consequently, by adapting it to contemporary political realities the republican ideal can in fact serve as an apt antidote against many current political ills. Admittedly, though, any form of republicanism that is going to be viable today will assume a character at odds with either republicanism's classical or commercial modes.

THE CONCEPTS OF LIBERTY AND FREEDOM ARE THE CORE OF LIBERAL POLITICAL THOUGHT. THEY ARE ALSO A FOCUS FOR CONTEMPORARY POLITICS. THE PAPER EXAMINES THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOTION OF LIBERTY, AS WELL AS THE WAYS IN WHICH THESE DEFINITIONS REFLECT THE CONCRETE POLITICAL PREFERENCES OF THEIR EXPONENTS. FINALLY, THE PAPER SUGGESTS A POSSIBLE REVISED UNDERSTANDING OF FREEDOM-AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IS BOTH IN HARMONY WITH LIBERALISM PROPER AND PRESCRIPTIVE FOR A LIBERAL POLITICS.