The book presents a unique perspective on political theology, affirming social and political liberalism while critically examining nationalism and political authority. It explores alternatives to the modern nation-state and provides insights for navigating life responsibly under existing state structures. Through its theological lens, it engages with contemporary political issues, encouraging thoughtful discourse on governance and civic responsibility.
Focusing on a love-centered creation ethic, the author explores its application to various societal issues, including sexuality, economics, and political order. Chartier critiques traditional natural-law theories for neglecting individual welfare and challenges impersonal interpretations of Christian love. He presents a vision of Christian love that emphasizes creation, aiming to enhance both social practices and personal experiences, offering a compelling alternative to existing frameworks.
Understanding Friendship illustrates friendship as an expression of Christian love that can enrich one's life and be socially, culturally, and politically significant. The book examines what friendship is, how its distinctive moral status can be supported by multiple approaches to Christian ethics, and its part in Christian spirituality.
Market anarchists favor replacing the state with a fully free market, i.e., one with no restrictions on voluntary production and exchange; all functions of the state are either to be abolished (when they are inherently invasive of people's right to live their lives peacefully) or turned over to free competition (when they are not).Many market anarchists - especially, though not exclusively, those associated with market anarchism's "right" wing - tend to envision a fully free market as one in which all resources are privately owned. The essays in this book offer a different perspective: that a stateless free-market society can and should include, alongside private property, a robust role for public property - not, of course, in the sense of governmental property, but rather in the sense of property that is owned by the general community rather than by specific individuals or formally organized groups.The delineation of the theory of common property under market anarchism is a work in progress. Think of the present volume as a conversation-starter, not a conversation-ender.
This work presents a transformative perspective on political and social liberalism, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment and flourishing. It elaborates on how these concepts can reshape societal structures and individual lives, offering a rich understanding of what it means to thrive within a liberal framework. Through illustrations and detailed arguments, the book challenges traditional views and advocates for a more profound, holistic approach to liberalism that prioritizes human well-being.
The book presents a thorough moral defense of freedom of expression, emphasizing its importance for individuals and institutions, as well as its legal implications. Gary Chartier connects expressive freedom to themes such as property, autonomy, flourishing, and discovery, while delineating the limits of legal liability for expressive acts. He proposes that expressive freedom is embedded within complex social ecosystems deserving protection, applying this framework to various contemporary issues, thereby enriching the debate on expressive rights.
Exploring the nature of commitment, this book examines its boundaries and implications for personal well-being. It engages ethicists and general readers alike, addressing the reasons behind making and maintaining commitments. Through thoughtful analysis, it invites reflection on the significance and impact of commitment in various aspects of life.
This book elaborates an appealing model of marriage, rooted in love, for same- sex and different-sex couples, that doesn't involve the state.
The meditations explore the spiritual life by emphasizing God's vulnerability to human choices and presenting divine action as persuasive rather than coercive. They highlight the significance of flourishing religious communities, portraying them as inclusive and open to diverse experiences. This collection invites readers to reflect on contemporary spirituality through a lens of compassion and openness.
The book presents a compelling argument for the concept of law existing independently of the state, asserting that the state is both illegitimate and a source of danger. It delves into the reasons why state governance is deemed unnecessary, advocating for alternative frameworks of legal order that do not rely on centralized authority. Through a critical examination of the state's role, the author challenges conventional views on law and governance, promoting a vision of a society organized around voluntary cooperation and mutual aid.