Overview

Radical Conversion utilizes both analytic and normative philosophic/theoretical frameworks to study the relationship between Christian-Catholic conceptualizations of politics, citizenship, faith, and religion as viewed through a quasi-theological lens. The work is situated in the context of the American liberal tradition and in conversation and debate with the public philosophy that attempts to sustain it and provide a rationale for its perpetuation. In a single sentence, the book's thesis is that for America to fully realize its authentic and unique moral and political mission and secure it into the future, it will need to become both more Catholic and more catholic. Concordantly, that mission, properly understood, is nothing less than the recognition and protection of the idea of the sacredness of every individual human person and their right to flourish and realize the fullness of their particular vocation as a child of God.

Full Product Details

9781725283909

Table of Contents

Reviews

Though Duncan draws on a rich array of disciplines and buttresses his assertions with sources both erudite and colloquial, his central thesis is entirely political and of immense value to all readers regardless of belief. Deeply incisive, searing, and prophetic, Duncan does something impossible and necessary: he calls the reader into a vision of social responsibility that is both primordial and progressive, both recondite and radical, both a repeal and a revolution. --Kathleen Glenister Roberts, professor, Duquesne University Political theorist Christopher Duncan makes a compelling case for the future of democracy that depends on foundational themes found in the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially twentieth-century Catholic social teaching. Instead of continuing on the path of a materialistic and individualistic neoliberalism, he argues for a polity that defends the dignity of every person, the care for the marginalized, and a commitment to the common good built upon a non-theocratic but religiously open government that welcomes people both secular and religious. His thesis, bold and provocative, calls for a radical conversion in American society. --James L. Heft, SM, founder and president emeritus of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies The radical conversion called for by Christopher Duncan requires unmasking the limits of individualism and uplifting personalism. As an advocate of Christian citizenship in the public sphere, Duncan challenges 'a liberal-capitalistic-possessive individualistic discourse' that excludes a politics of love. Duncan highlights Catholicism's oppositional stance toward an increasing embrace of neoliberalism that underscores individual rights, ignoring our communal commitments to one another. This work is a must-read for those in religious communication. --Ronald C. Arnett, author of Communication Ethics and Tenacious Hope Christopher Duncan explores and enriches the languages we use in the civil and political life of our American democratic polity. He constructs a narrative of the American liberal tradition that enables the reader to appreciate both the ways this tradition often enhances human well-being and at the same time how 'possessive individualism' is now reforming this narrative so it is no longer inclusive of the well-being of all. Duncan introduces a second narrative, a narrative of 'agape' of radical inclusive love, as it is embodied in Catholic social tradition. Bringing these two narratives into critical dialogue, Duncan challenges people of faith, Catholics in particular, to a radical conversion in which they are called to be catalysts and partners in tending and nurturing a language of public discourse that enables public conversations to move toward the common good of all. --Raymond Fitz, SM, president emeritus and professor, University of Dayton

"""""Though Duncan draws on a rich array of disciplines and buttresses his assertions with sources both erudite and colloquial, his central thesis is entirely political and of immense value to all readers regardless of belief. Deeply incisive, searing, and prophetic, Duncan does something impossible and necessary: he calls the reader into a vision of social responsibility that is both primordial and progressive, both recondite and radical, both a repeal and a revolution."""" --Kathleen Glenister Roberts, professor, Duquesne University """"Political theorist Christopher Duncan makes a compelling case for the future of democracy that depends on foundational themes found in the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially twentieth-century Catholic social teaching. Instead of continuing on the path of a materialistic and individualistic neoliberalism, he argues for a polity that defends the dignity of every person, the care for the marginalized, and a commitment to the common good built upon a non-theocratic but religiously open government that welcomes people both secular and religious. His thesis, bold and provocative, calls for a radical conversion in American society."""" --James L. Heft, SM, founder and president emeritus of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies """"The radical conversion called for by Christopher Duncan requires unmasking the limits of individualism and uplifting personalism. As an advocate of Christian citizenship in the public sphere, Duncan challenges 'a liberal-capitalistic-possessive individualistic discourse' that excludes a politics of love. Duncan highlights Catholicism's oppositional stance toward an increasing embrace of neoliberalism that underscores individual rights, ignoring our communal commitments to one another. This work is a must-read for those in religious communication."""" --Ronald C. Arnett, author of Communication Ethics and Tenacious Hope """"Christopher Duncan explores and enriches the languages we use in the civil and political life of our American democratic polity. He constructs a narrative of the American liberal tradition that enables the reader to appreciate both the ways this tradition often enhances human well-being and at the same time how 'possessive individualism' is now reforming this narrative so it is no longer inclusive of the well-being of all. Duncan introduces a second narrative, a narrative of 'agape' of radical inclusive love, as it is embodied in Catholic social tradition. Bringing these two narratives into critical dialogue, Duncan challenges people of faith, Catholics in particular, to a radical conversion in which they are called to be catalysts and partners in tending and nurturing a language of public discourse that enables public conversations to move toward the common good of all."""" --Raymond Fitz, SM, president emeritus and professor, University of Dayton"

Though Duncan draws on a rich array of disciplines and buttresses his assertions with sources both erudite and colloquial, his central thesis is entirely political and of immense value to all readers regardless of belief. Deeply incisive, searing, and prophetic, Duncan does something impossible and necessary: he calls the reader into a vision of social responsibility that is both primordial and progressive, both recondite and radical, both a repeal and a revolution. --Kathleen Glenister Roberts, professor, Duquesne University Political theorist Christopher Duncan makes a compelling case for the future of democracy that depends on foundational themes found in the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially twentieth-century Catholic social teaching. Instead of continuing on the path of a materialistic and individualistic neoliberalism, he argues for a polity that defends the dignity of every person, the care for the marginalized, and a commitment to the common good built upon a non-theocratic but religiously open government that welcomes people both secular and religious. His thesis, bold and provocative, calls for a radical conversion in American society. --James L. Heft, SM, founder and president emeritus of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies The radical conversion called for by Christopher Duncan requires unmasking the limits of individualism and uplifting personalism. As an advocate of Christian citizenship in the public sphere, Duncan challenges 'a liberal-capitalistic-possessive individualistic discourse' that excludes a politics of love. Duncan highlights Catholicism's oppositional stance toward an increasing embrace of neoliberalism that underscores individual rights, ignoring our communal commitments to one another. This work is a must-read for those in religious communication. --Ronald C. Arnett, author of Communication Ethics and Tenacious Hope Christopher Duncan explores and enriches the languages we use in the civil and political life of our American democratic polity. He constructs a narrative of the American liberal tradition that enables the reader to appreciate both the ways this tradition often enhances human well-being and at the same time how 'possessive individualism' is now reforming this narrative so it is no longer inclusive of the well-being of all. Duncan introduces a second narrative, a narrative of 'agape' of radical inclusive love, as it is embodied in Catholic social tradition. Bringing these two narratives into critical dialogue, Duncan challenges people of faith, Catholics in particular, to a radical conversion in which they are called to be catalysts and partners in tending and nurturing a language of public discourse that enables public conversations to move toward the common good of all. --Raymond Fitz, SM, president emeritus and professor, University of Dayton

Author Information

Christopher M. Duncan is a professor of political science at Saint Louis University and the former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches courses in political theory, faith and politics, and American politics. His previous books include The Anti-Federalists in Early American Political Thought and Fugitive Theory: Political Theory, the Southern Agrarians, and America. He has published numerous articles in professional journals and a number of popular pieces in Commonweal magazine.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available