Michael Walzer on Equality, Socialism, and a Life of Dissent (Part 1)

One of the most respected political philosophers of his generation as well as one of the most prolific, Michael and I met at his home in New York City to talk about his commitment to democratic socialism, the relationship between equality and pluralism in a good society, helping to start Dissent magazine and editing it pro bono for decades, just and unjust wars (regarding both theory and specific wars), the civil rights movement, the New Left, New York intellectuals, his relationship to Judaism -- and the unpublished history of the Second World War he wrote at age eleven. It was a rare gift and honor to talk with him. This is the first of a two-part conversation.