The Political Thought of Isaiah Berlin

Abstract

Typically evaluated for the merits or otherwise of his famous account of 'value pluralism', Isaiah Berlin's more general political thought is less often discussed. However, broader reflection sheds light on three crucial elements necessary for a proper understanding of Berlin's work. First, it shows the importance and context of his analysis of Marx and Marxism in providing the basis for his distinction between pluralism and monism. Secondly, through his criticisms of Marxism, Berlin's political sympathy for a moderate nationalism, something also reflected in his personal considerations regarding Jewish identity, can more easily be gauged. Thirdly, and in conclusion, a combination of this political preference and the 'pluralism-monism' dichotomy offers an explanation as to why Berlin wrote the history of political ideas as he did.

Fear and Freedom

“…All took Marx seriously in a way that often comes as a surprise to those who simply see 'cold war liberals' as rabid anti-Marxists in philosophy and in political practice; for all of them Marxism became really just an exemplar of a larger category (or, rather, a larger problem): for Berlin, Marxism was a prime example of monism and determinism; for Aron, Marxism was both a type of secularized religion and, above all, a 'philosophy for intellectuals'; and for Popper, Marxism was yet another mistaken theory in response to the 'terror of change' which was behind so many political pathologies. 30 Value Pluralism and Political Action, or: Kantianism faute de mieux You choose. You plump.…”

A pessimistic liberalism: Jacob Talmon’s suspicion and the birth of contemporary political thought

“… 3. An emerging literature on Berlin’s relationship to Cold War intellectual battles exists. For a taste, see Kelly (2002); Anderson (2011); Cherniss (2017). …”