ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the precarious nature of liberalism and democracy in Azerbaijan following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It discusses that the 'lazy-scrounger' argument on benefit provision, familiar enough in recent political rhetoric in Germany and the United Kingdom, arises from ideological expediency rather than from substantiated factual or psychological evidence. The book points to tensions between liberal values and those forces of economic and cultural conservatism with which they can be said to form Western 'liberal democratic' establishment. It explores the dialogue in the arena in which it has been most apparent, that of America. The book deals with the nature and scope of pluralism as an ideal and considers the often opposed concepts of the community and the individual. It explores the important contributions to discussion of problems arising from liberalism's application as an organising principle of international social justice.
