This book examines liberal theory's attempts to accommodate pluralism, asking two fundamental questions: How and why have theorists based their defenses and proposed revisions of liberal pluralism upon particular and contestable definitions of what is the relevant and significant plurality? And can a revised liberal pluralism account for the political significance of sub-national identity group membership?

This book examines liberal theory's attempts to accommodate pluralism, asking two fundamental questions: 1. How and why have theorists based their defences and proposed revisions of liberal pluralism upon particular and contestable definitions of what is the relevant and significant plurality? 2. Can a revised liberal pluralism account for the political significance of sub-national identity group membership?