Economy, Difference, Empire: Social Ethics for Social Justice (Columbia Series on Religion and Politics)

Sourcing the major traditions of progressive Christian social ethics#x97;social gospel liberalism, Niebuhrian realism, and liberation theology#x97;Gary Dorrien argues for the social-ethical necessity of social justice politics. In carefully reasoned essays, he focuses on three subjects: the ethics and politics of economic justice, racial and gender justice, and antimilitarism, making a constructive case for economic democracy, along with a liberationist understanding of racial and gender justice and an anti-imperial form of liberal internationalism. In Dorrien's view, the three major discourse traditions of progressive Christian social ethics share a fundamental commitment to transform the structures of society in the direction of social justice. His reflections on these topics feature innovative analyses of major figures, such as Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, James Burnham, Norman Thomas, and Michael Harrington, and an extensive engagement with contemporary intellectuals, such as Rosemary R. Ruether, Katie Cannon, Gregory Baum, and Cornel West. Dorrien also weaves his personal experiences into his narrative, especially his involvement in social justice movements. He includes a special chapter on the 2008 presidential campaign and the historic candidacy of Barack Obama Examining The Major Traditions Of Progressive Christian Social Ethics--social Gospel Liberalism, Niebuhrian Realism, And Liberation Theology--gary Dorrien Argues For The Social-ethical Necessity Of Social Justice Politics. In Carefully Reasoned Essays, He Focuses On Three Subjects: The Ethics And Politics Of Economic Justice, Racial And Gender Justice, And Antimilitarism, Making A Constructive Case For Economic Democracy, Along With A Liberationist Understanding Of Racial And Gender Justice And An Anti-imperial Form Of Liberal Internationalism. (publisher). Pt. I. The Social Gospel And Niebuhrian Realism. Society As The Subject Of Redemption : Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, And The Social Gospel -- Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth, And The Crises Of War And Capitalism -- The Niebuhrian Legacy : Christian Realism As Theology, Social Ethics, And Public Intellectualism -- Ironic Complexity : Reinhold Niebuhr, Billy Graham, Modernity, And Racial Justice -- Pt. Ii. Economic Democracy In Question. Norman Thomas And The Dilemma Of American Socialism -- Michael Harrington And The Left Wing Of The Possible -- Christian Socialism As Tradition And Problem -- Breaking The Oligarchy : Globalization, Turbo-capitalism, Economic Crash, Economic Democracy -- Rethinking And Renewing Economic Democracy -- Pt. Iii. Neoconservatism And American Empire. The Neoconservative Phenomenon : American Power And The War Of Ideology -- Imperial Designs : Neoconservatism And The Iraq War -- Militaristic Illusions : The Iraq Debacle And The Crisis Of American Empire -- Empire In Denial : American Exceptionalism And The Community Of Nations -- Pt. Iv. Social Ethics And The Politics Of Difference. The Feminist Difference : Rosemary R. Ruether And Eco-socialist Christianity -- Pragmatic Postmodern Prophecy : Cornel West As Social Critic And Public Intellectual -- As Purple To Lavender : Katie Cannon And Womanist Ethics -- Religious Pluralism As A Justice Issue : Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, And Ecumenism -- The Obama Phenomenon And Presidency -- Social Ethics In The Making : History, Method, And White Supremacism. Gary Dorrien. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Philosophy of Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Social Justice, Religion Contents 8 Introduction 10 Acknowledgments 24 Part I: The Social Gospel and Niebuhrian Realism 28 1. Society as the Subject of Redemption: Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and the Social Gospel 30 2. Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth, and the Crises of War and Capitalism 56 3. The Niebuhrian Legacy: Christian Realism as Theology, Social Ethics, and Public Intellectualism 73 4. Ironic Complexity: Reinhold Niebuhr, Billy Graham, Modernity, and Racial Justice 93 Part II: Economic Democracy in Question 112 5. Norman Thomas and the Dilemma of American Socialism 114 6. Michael Harrington and the “Left Wing of the Possible” 138 7. Christian Socialism as Tradition and Problem 160 8. Breaking the Oligarchy: Globalization, Turbo-Capitalism, Economic Crash, Economic Democracy 170 9. Rethinking and Renewing Economic Democracy 195 Part III: Neoconservatism and American Empire 212 10. The Neoconservative Phenomenon: American Power and the War of Ideology 214 11. Imperial Designs: Neoconservatism and the Iraq War 241 12. Militaristic Illusions: The Iraq Debacle and the Crisis of American Empire 267 13. Empire in Denial: American Exceptionalism and the Community of Nations 286 Part IV: Social Ethics and the Politics of Difference 314 14. The Feminist Difference: Rosemary R. Ruether and Eco-Socialist Christianity 316 15. Pragmatic Postmodern Prophecy: Cornel West as Social Critic and Public Intellectual 331 16. As Purple to Lavender: Katie Cannon and Womanist Ethics 363 17. Religious Pluralism as a Justice Issue: Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, and Ecumenism 376 18 The Obama Phenomenon and Presidency 394 19 Social Ethics in the Making: History, Method, and White Supremacism 419 Notes 438 Index 502 social,ethics;,social,justice;,morality;,justice;,religion social ethics,social justice,morality,justice,religion In Dorrien's view, the three major discourse traditions of progressive Christian social ethics share a fundamental commitment to transform the structures of society in the direction of social justice. His reflections on these topics feature innovative analyses of major figures, such as Walter Rauschenbusch, Reinhold Niebuhr, James Burnham, Norman Thomas, and Michael Harrington, and an extensive engagement with contemporary intellectuals, such as Rosemary R. Ruether, Katie Cannon, Gregory Baum, and Cornel West. Dorrien also weaves his personal experiences into his narrative, especially his involvement in social justice movements. He includes a special chapter on the 2008 Presidential campaign and the historic candidacy of Barack Obama. --Book Jacket "Gary Dorrien's scholarly investigation of capitalism's destructive collision with society has greater urgency for America than ever before. Given all the adversities our nation faces, Americans need to learn and consider the great possibilities that Dorrien discusses for disarming the conflict and creating a more equitable and humane country."--William Greider, National Affairs Correspondent for the Nation and Author of Come Home, America: the Rise and Fall (And Redeeming Promise) of Our Country "Like his other works, Gary Dorrien's book is richly researched and beautifully written. Dorren is among the leading academic voices of progressive Christianity, and his book brings the various threads of his scholarship together in one place."--Laura Olson, Clemson University "The most rigorous theological historian of our time, moving from analyses of social context and personal struggles through the most abstruse theological and metaphysical issues."--Robert Neville, Boston University