Ralf Dahrendorf was a German-British sociologist, philosopher, political scientist and liberal politician. He was director of the LSE and Research Professor at the Berlin Social Science Research Center.

‘He everywhere displays a steady good sense, which manages to combine complete seriousness of purpose with a fierce refusal to believe that any of our problems are insoluble.’ Alan Ryan, New Statesman.

• 1. From Expansion to Improvement: Changing the Subject of History 2. The Liberal Option: A Conflict Between Potential and Reality 3. Justice Without Bondage: The Liberation of the Citizen 4. On Difference: The Small (And Sometimes Not So Small) Things Which Matter 5. The Improving Society: A New Lease of Life 6. Steps in the Right Direction.