Reconstructing the Common Good

This landmark study in the history and theory of modern Christian socialism examines the work of such major figures as Rauschenbusch, Tillich, Moltmann, Gutierrez, and Miguez Bonino. Dorrien argues that these theologians provide a singular context for addressing questions of freedom and totalitarianism, sacralization and democratization, individual autonomy and the common good. He focuses on the differing conceptions of the common good that these major theorists have propounded, and explicates as well their theological arguments on the relationship between the Kingdom of God and projects of historical praxis. With a new Preface addressing the tumultuous events in Eastern Europe, Reconstructing the Common Good develops and sustains a forceful argument for the continuing relevance of a decentralized, pluralistic, democratic form of socialism.
"". . . A remarkable achievement. Dorrien's comparative look at the communitarian and democratic strands in religious social thought throughout the twentieth century breaks creative and original ground in religious studies and political theory alike.""
--Harry Boyte, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
""In the post-Reagan years it is surely time to reconstruct a sound theological basis for dealing with the larger social whoe. . . . An important book.""
--Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School

""With his careful, thorough scholarship, his cogent, honest criticism, and hte moderate tone of his lucid prose, Gary Dorrien has written a book . . . that will help keep alive the vision of a cooperative commonwealth.""
--Perspectives
"". . . A first-rate, important work about the history and theory of modern Christian socialism. . . . Powerful, scholarly, human.""
--The Book Reader
""The unusual conciseness and clarity in this treatment of liberation and political theologies will commend [this] book for undergraduate studies.""
--Theological Book Review
Gary J. Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. An Episcopal priest, he was previously the Parfet Distinguished Professor at Kalamazoo College, where he taught for eighteen years and also served as Dean of Stetson Chapel. He is also the author of Logic and Consciousness and The Democratic Socialist Vision.