Michael Walzer

Michael Walzer
Professor Emeritus
School of Social Science

One of America’s foremost political thinkers, Michael Walzer addresses a wide variety of topics in political theory and moral philosophy in his writings; these include political obligation, just and unjust war, nationalism and ethnicity, economic justice and the welfare state. He has played a critical role in the revival of a practical, issue focused ethics and in the development of a pluralist approach to political and moral life. Walzer’s books include Arguing About War (2004), On Toleration (1999), and Just and Unjust Wars (1977); he has served as editor of the political journal, Dissent, since the early days of the Civil Rights movement. Currently, he is working on the toleration and accommodation of “difference” in all its forms and also on a collaborative project focused on the history of Jewish political thought.

Ph.D., Harvard University, 1961; Assistant Professor of Politics, Princeton University, 1962–66; Professor of Government, Harvard University, 1966–80; Member, Board of Governors, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1974–; Co-Editor, Dissent, 1976–, Contributing Editor, The New Republic, 1977–; Institute for Advanced Study, Professor, 1980–, UPS Foundation Professor, 1986–2007, Emeritus, 2007–; Member, Board of Trustees, Brandeis University, 1983–88.