George Kateb's writings have been innovatory in exploring the fundamental quandary of how modern democracy-sovereignty vested in the many-might nevertheless protect, respect, promote, even celebrate the singular, albeit ordinary individual. His essays, often leading to unexpected results, have focused on many inter-related topics: rights, representation, constitutionalism, war, evil, extinction, punishment, privacy, patriotism, and more.

This book focuses in particular on his thought in three key areas:

These essays exhibit the breadth and complexity...