A series of essays which critically examine the concept of the open society as 'the crowning achievement of Western civilization.' Analyzes the open society theory from a variety of perspectives but some go well beyond the question of adequacy to answer the critics and foes of liberal democracy. These essays do not simply extol the virtues of the open society, but each points to serious concerns or shortcomings in the open society doctrine. The contributors warn that liberal democracies need firmer moral and intellectual foundations than the open society is capable of providing. Co-published with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.