A Reply by Michael Walzer and John Schrecker

There are two sorts of polemics. The first aims at refuting an opponent’s argument; the second aims to discredit it. The first requires a more or less careful presentation and critique of a moral or political position; the second depends on caricature and attack. Henry Pachter’s polemic is of the second sort. This is not to say that he doesn’t touch upon interesting and difficult questions; but they are never his primary concern. Nor does he pay any significant attention to ...