Brian Barry 1936-2009

Brian Barry has died at the age of 73. I was at a discussion meeting in London some time between 1988 and 1992 in which Brian was a participant. Though I don't remember the precise terms of the question, at one point during the evening it was put to him (approximately) to say whether, in view of the great range of cultural forms, social practices and moral beliefs there had been historically, he was wanting to claim that liberal values were the best values for everyone. I do remember the precise terms of Brian's answer. 'Yes,' he said.