Neal Riemer's new book explores a vital, but surprisingly neglected theme. Riemer first examines two great historical breakthroughs: to religious liberty, and to the American federal republic. He then contrasts these genuine breakthroughs to two spurious ones: Calhoun's theory of the concurrent majority and Marx's theory of universal human emancipation. Riemer also examines a contemporary breakthrough to European Union to underscore the sense of continuing to deal with major problems that the conventional wisdom has deemed incapable of solution. Finally, he addresses a future breakthrough to protect against genocide via a global human rights regime employing policies of prudent prevention, effective implementation, and just humanitarian intercession. This book seeks to move political science beyond Cold War mentality and practice, a narrow-minded political realism, and post-modernism's nihilism toward a more prophetic politics. Riemer's latest book will be of crucial importance to scholars and students in all areas of political science, political philosophy, human rights, and international relations.
