Doug Bandow

David Schindler

The rapid spread of the liberal market order across the globe poses a host of new and complex questions for religious believers—indeed, for anyone concerned with the intersection of ethics and economics. Is the market economy, particularly as it affects the poor, fundamentally compatible with Christian moral and social teaching? Or is it in substantial tension with that tradition? In Wealth, Poverty, and Human Destiny, editors Doug Bandow and David L. Schindler bring together some of today’s leading economists, theologians, and social critics to consider whether the triumph of capitalism is a cause for celebration or concern. Michael Novak, Richard John Neuhaus, Max Stackhouse, and other defenders of democratic capitalism marshal a number of arguments in an attempt to show that, among other things, capitalism is more Christian in its foundation and consequences than is conceded by its critics—that, as Stackhouse and Lawrence Stratton write, “the roots of the modern corporation lie in the religious institutions of the West,” and that, as Novak contends, “globalization is the natural ecology” of Christianity. The critics of liberal economics argue, on the other hand, that it is historically and theologically shortsighted to consider the global capitalist order and the liberalism that sustains it as the only available option. Any system which has as its implicit logic that “stable and preserving relationships among people, places, and things do not matter and are of no worth,” in the words of Wendell Berry, should be regarded with grave suspicion by religious believers and all men and women of goodwill. Bandow and Schindler take up these arguments and many others in their responses, which carefully consider the claims of the essayists and thus pave the way for a renewed dialogue on the moral status of capitalism, a dialogue only now re-emerging from under the Cold War rubble. The contributors’ fresh, insightful examinations of the intersection between religion and economics should provoke a healthy debate about the intertwined issues of the market, globalization, human freedom, the family, technology, and democracy.

Wealth, Poverty, and Human Destiny

This slashing critique charges that the federal government and interest groups have badly mismanaged the political process for private ends. Transcending conventional ideologies, Bandow sees the root of the problem as our failure to honor the Founding Fathers' intention to establish a limited government with severely circumscribed powers in all areas. People abuse power; it is human nature. Only limited state authority will keep the political process from disintegrating into petty fighting among factions, each competing for its own limited self-interest. The demise of the original restraints has created an overgrown federal government that is ever more wasteful, inefficient, and unjust. Doug Bandow spares no sacred cows. He considers state interference in the free market responsible for an ethic of legalized theft, which allows interest groups to use the state to enrich themselves through subsidies, competitive restrictions, and other protectionist measures. He sees a judiciary that has aided the other branches of government in manipulating human conduct and restricting personal freedom for both liberal and conservative reasons. And in foreign policy he sees the development of an interventionist consensus, whereby Washington attempts to remake foreign nations in its image through military intervention and foreign aid, with disastrous results. "The Politics of Plunder "is written by an insider who combines theoretical and analytical skill with practical political experience. Bandow served in the most conservative administration of recent years yet freely criticizes the nostrums of the Right. He is an evangelical Christian yet dislikes the tactics of the Religious Right. His unique background--campaign worker, lawyer, presidential aide, magazine editor, policy analyst, and journalist--enables him to go far beyond the usual Washington commentary. Bandow's objective is to develop a new political perspective that transcends both conservative and liberal boundaries and emphasizes individual liberty, skepticism of state power, and tolerance of others. Those interested in the world of ideas will find this an accessible, practical guide to libertarian thought. Those interested in the world of public policy will find here a detailed discussion of scores of recent controversies.

Misgovernment in Washington

The Politics of Plunder

Ted Galen Carpenter

The inconclusive outcome of the Korean War left a peninsula divided between two nations engaged in a deadly cold war. An important aspect of the continuing hostilities was America's security guarantee to South Korea. Despite enormous geopolitical changes brought by the accelerating collapse of communism, the United States has a standing pledge to go to war if necessary to thwart a North Korean attack. This volume assesses the current and future viability of the U.S.-South Korean alliance from military, political, and economic perspectives.

Time for a Change

The U.S.-South Korean Alliance

Contends that Washington should initiate a phased withdrawal

Korea and U.S. Foreign Policy in a Changed World

Tripwire

But the work emphasizes not simply federal government initiatives to curb freedom of choice, but how this extends to sociological and ideological trends in which extremists pit the values of liberty and virtue against each other

Statism As Theology

The Politics of Envy

Two friends were discussing the possibility of life after death. "Hell is a myth," one argued. "How can a God of love condemn His creatures to everlasting punishment?" His friend nodded in agreement, and the matter seemed to be settled. The two sat silently for a moment until one of them looked and said, thoughtfully, "Suppose it is true, after all?" Suppose it is true after all that Hell exists? Jesus Christ Himself described it as a place of "darkness" and a "furnace of fire" where there shall be "wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42). Some say there is no consciousness after death. But from Christ's words, it's evident that a person in Hell is just as aware of himself and his surroundings as when he was on earth! The Bible, God's Word, says Hell is an everlasting burning for the punishment of sinners and hypocrites (Isaiah 33:14), a bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1) where men have no rest, day or night (Revelation 14:11). It's a place where people pray, but their prayers are not heard (Luke 16:27), where they gnaw their tongues and at the same time curse God (Revelation 16:10-11). Hell is a place where no one would want their loved ones to go (Luke 16:28). Suppose it is true after all that God will punish sin? The Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Suppose it is true after all that we cannot get to Heaven on the basis of good things we've done? The Bible says, "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Suppose it is true after all that Jesus Christ is the only Savior? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). Be assured that God is holy and must punish sin. But He is also a God of love, "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins: "God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:8). But we must first recognize that we have sinned, ask God's forgiveness and receive Christ as our Savior. Then we can have the joy and peace of God's forgiveness, and the assurance that when we die we will be with Christ forever in Heaven. Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36). The choice is yours.

Doug Bandow

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