For Hayek, spontaneous order - the emergence of complex order as the unintended consequence of individual actions that have no such end in view - is both the origin of the Great Society and its underlying principle. These sometimes critical essays assess Hayek's position and argue that his work can inform contemporary social and political dilemmas.

LOUIS HUNT is Associate Professor in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy at James Madison College, Michigan State University, USA. His research and publications deal with Kantian and Hegelian political philosophy, the Scottish Enlightenment, and the problems of modern civil society.PETER MCNAMARA teaches political science at Utah State University, USA. He is the author ofPolitical Economy and Statesmanship;Smith, Hamilton and the Foundation of the Commercial Republicand the editor ofThe Noblest Minds: Fame, Honor and the American Founding.

Introduction Governing the Great Society; P.McNamara PART I: FUNDAMENTAL THEMES Unintended Order Explanations in Adam Smith and the Scottish Enlightenment; J.Otteson The Origin and Scope of Hayek's Idea of Spontaneous Order; L.Hunt PART II: CRITICAL REFLECTIONS Knight's Challenge (to Hayek): Spontaneous Order is Not Enough for Governing a Liberal Society; R.B.Emmett F. A. Hayek, Michael Oakeshott, and the Concept of Spontaneous Order; R.Boyd& J.Morrison Spontaneous Order and the Problem of Religious Revolution; S.Yenor Friedrich Hayek's Darwinian Conservatism; L.Arnhart Social Complexity and Evolved Moral Principles; G.Gaus Culture, Order and Virtue; M.C.Munger The Limits of Spontaneous Order: Skeptical Reflections on a Hayekian Theme; J.Z.Muller