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. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Part I The Social Gospel and Niebuhrian Realism Chapter 1. Society as the Subject of Redemption Chapter 2. Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth, and the Crises of War and Capitalism Chapter 3. The Niebuhrian Legacy Chapter 4. Ironic Complexity Part II Economic Democracy in Question Chapter 5. Norman Thomas and the Dilemma of American Socialism Chapter 6. Michael Harrington and the “Left Wing of the Possible” Chapter 7. Christian Socialism as Tradition and Problem Chapter 8. Breaking the Oligarchy Chapter 9. Rethinking and Renewing Economic Democracy Part III Neoconservatism and American Empire Chapter 10. The Neoconservative Phenomenon Chapter 11. Imperial Designs Chapter 12. Militaristic Illusions Chapter 13. Empire in Denial Part IV Social Ethics and the Politics of Difference Chapter 14. The Feminist Difference Chapter 15. Pragmatic Postmodern Prophecy Chapter 16. As Purple to Lavender Chapter 17. Religious Pluralism as a Justice Issue Chapter 18. The Obama Phenomenon and Presidency Chapter 19. Social Ethics in the Making NOTES INDEX 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