Madison uses the concept of civil society and his distinctive version of 'communicative rationality' to provide a closely-argued and robust defence of the neo-liberal political and economic tradition. Writing with considerable elegance and humour, the author draws on the hermeneutical and neo-pragmatist traditions, and on a diverse range of evidence and discussion, mainly concerning transitional economies and societies in Eastern Europe and around the world. Providing a systematic analysis of the multi-faceted notion of civil society, this book shows in detail how the three main orders of civil society - the moral-cultural, the political, and the economic - constitute 'spheres of autonomy'. At the same time, it illustrates how these different orders are closely interrelated and interact in a synergetic manner. A unique feature of this study is the way in which the author demonstrates how the logic of the various orders of civil society is, in a way appropriate to the distinct nature of each order, a logic of communicative rationality. The work concludes by arguing that the only sure way of achieving international justice is by the construction of civil society world-wide.

As a result of the revolutions in Eastern Europe and the collapse of Communism, the ideal of civil society has been revived and is now at the centre of political discussion. It is generally agreed that building genuine civil societies is the only true means of furthering the cause of democracy and human rights. It is also widely agreed that only the institutions of civil society are capable of reconciling the sometimes conflicting demands of individial liberties and the common good. This book provides a systematic analysis of the multi-faceted notion of civil society. It shows how the three main orders of civil society - the moral-cultural, political, and economic - constitute "spheres of autonomy". At the same time, it illustrates how these different orders are closely interrelated and interact in a synergetic manner. In addition, the author attempts to demonstrate how the logic of the various orders of civil society is appropriate to the distinct nature of each order.