Guided by the thoughts of Alexis de Tocqueville, Samuel Gregg's The Commercial Society identifies and explores the key foundational elements that must exist within a society for commercial order to take root and flourish. Gregg studies the challenges that have consistently impeded and occasionally undermined commercial order.
"One of America's greatest success stories is its economy. For over a century, it has been the envy of the world. The opportunity it generates has inspired millions of people to want to become American.Today, however, America's economy is at a crossroads. Many have lost confidence in the country's commitment to economic liberty. Across the political spectrum, many want the government to play an even greater role in the economy via protectionism, industrial policy, stakeholder capitalism, or even quasi-socialist policies. Numerous American political and business leaders are embracing these ideas, and traditional defenders of markets have struggled to respond to these challenges in fresh ways. Then there is a resurgent China bent on eclipsing the United States' place in the world. At stake is not only the future of the world's biggest economy, but the economic liberty that remains central to America's identity as a nation. But managed decline and creeping statism do not have to be America's only choices, let alone its destiny. For this book insists that there is an alternative. And that is a vibrant market economy grounded on entrepreneurship, competition, and trade openness, but embedded in what America's Founding generation envisaged as the United States' future: a dynamic Commercial Republic that takes freedom, commerce, and the common good of all Americans seriously, and allows America as a sovereign-nation to pursue and defend its interests in an dangerous world without compromising its belief in the power of economic freedom"-- Provided by publisher
In the context of both political economy and Catholic Social Teaching, this book examines the extent to which the teaching can be used to justify the free market, or alternative forms of political and economic organisation, in areas such as taxation, welfare, foreign aid, labour markets and business.
Exploring the concept of freedom, the author delves into the insights of Alexis de Tocqueville and natural law to argue for a distinction between integral law and modern interpretations of liberty. Samuel Gregg critiques utilitarianism as incompatible with human nature and emphasizes the need to address the fundamental question of human identity. The book invites readers to reconsider the true purposes of human choice and action within a free society, transcending traditional political divides.
Argues against America's economic life becoming more like Europe's and warns that if Americans continue down this path they will suffer an overburdened welfare state, a government that controls half of the economy, and high taxation.
In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008 and ongoing debt-related troubles there have been widespread calls to put banking and economic activity on a secure ethical foundation, either by regulation or through voluntary reform. In this volume a distinguished set of authors explore various economic, philosophical, and ethical ideas from historical, contemporary, and future-looking perspectives. At the core are two related ideas much mentioned but far more rarely examined: the idea of natural law and that of the common good. In these essays the foundations and meaning of these notions are carefully studied and put to work in examining the nature and scope of ethics in relation to global economics.
"The genius of Western civilization is its unique synthesis of reason and faith. But today that synthesis is under attack--from the East by radical Islam (faith without reason) and from within the West itself by aggressive secularism (reason without faith). The stakes are incalculably high. The naïve and increasingly common assumption that reason and faith are incompatible is simply at odds with the facts of history. The revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures of a reasonable Creator imbued Judaism and Christianity with a conviction that the world is intelligible, leading to the flowering of reason and the invention of science in the West. It was no accident that the Enlightenment took place in the culture formed by the Jewish and Christian faiths. We can all see that faith without reason is benighted at best, fanatical and violent at worst. But too many forget that reason, stripped of faith, is subject to its own pathologies. A supposedly autonomous reason easily sinks into fanaticism, stifling dissent as bigoted and irrational and devouring the humane civilization fostered by the integration of reason and faith. The blood-soaked history of the twentieth century attests to the totalitarian forces unleashed by corrupted reason."-- Amazon.com
The book introduces readers to 'the economic way of thinking,' highlighting essential concepts and foundational assumptions in economics. It aims to bridge the gap between economic principles and theological perspectives, making it accessible for those with a theological mindset. Through this lens, it explores how economic reasoning can be understood and applied within a faith-based context.
Volume 1
This reprint offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing a work first published in 1865. It captures the essence of its time, presenting themes and narratives reflective of that historical period. Readers can expect an authentic experience of the language and style used in the original text, making it a valuable addition for those interested in classic literature and historical contexts. This edition aims to preserve the integrity of the original work while making it accessible to contemporary audiences.
The book explores the shift among American Catholics from New Deal economic principles towards free market ideals, reflecting a broader polarization on economic issues. Samuel Gregg argues for a Catholic perspective supporting economic freedom and limited government, drawing on Catholic teachings and historical figures like Charles Carroll. He examines the moral and economic benefits of markets versus the welfare state, addressing social justice, unions, and secularism. Ultimately, Gregg posits that advocating for economic freedom is vital for preserving religious liberty and the American Experiment.