The election victory by Donald Trump and his Republican Party was a rebuke of a Democratic Party that has positioned itself as protector of a despised status quo, rendering it unable to connect with an electorate desperate for change. Defeating Mr. Trump in the future will require liberals, progressives and others on the left to articulate a positive vision that can capture the imagination of a broad majority of Americans. But where can they find the inspiration for such a vision? The answer lies in the work of the towering 20th century political philosopher John Rawls. The philosophy of Rawls, who died in 2002, is grounded not in self-interest and competition, but in reciprocity and cooperation.

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Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, John Rawls, ”, Rawls, — Organizations: Republican Party, Democratic Party, Democratic