Ezekiel Emanuel, trained as both a physician and a political theorist, rejects the claim that most of today’s dilemmas of medical ethics are created by advances in medical technology. He maintains that the seemingly endless debates are the inevitable consequence of liberal political values. He proposes an alternative ideology, a liberal communitarianism that imagines a federation of political communities dedicated to democratic deliberations to guide the formulation of laws and policies.

"An important work in medical ethical theory… This is a volume that must be read, analyzed, and responded to by every person serious about the future of medical ethics." - Journal of the American Medical Association

"An important and challenging book. It is well written, cogently argued, and philosophically sophisticated. Emanuel is a morally and intellectually serious thinker, and his is an important voice, not just in medical ethics, but also in political philosophy." - Journal of the History of Medicine

"A brave, interesting and original attempt to provide a political theory of health care." - Times Higher Education Supplement