迈克尔·J. 桑德尔（Michael J. Sandel），当代美国最有影响的公众知识分子之一。他是哈佛大学政治学教授，讲授当代政治哲学与政治思想史，著作有《民主的不满：追求公众哲学的美国》、《自由主义与正义的局限》、《自由主义及其批评者》等。

A liberal society seeks not to impose a single way of life, but to leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends. It therefore must govern by principles of justice that do not presuppose any particular vision of the good life. But can any such principles be found? And if not, what are the consequences for justice as a moral and political ideal? These are the questions Michael Sandel takes up in this penetrating critique of contemporary liberalism. This new edition includes a new introduction and a new final chapter in which Professor Sandel responds to the later work of John Rawls.