Examined in a new book by Donald Devine
Amazon Summary
Western civilization fashioned a
capitalism that created a worldwide economic cornucopia and higher standards of
living than any other system, yet its legitimacy is often questioned by its
beneficiaries. Boston University Emeritus Professor Angelo M. Codevilla,
proclaims Donald Devine’s The Enduring Tension between Capitalism
and the Moral Order, “the best answer to this question since Adam Smith’s.
Like Smith, Devine shows the mutually sustaining nature of morality and
economic freedom, and provides a much-needed clearing away of the confusion
with which recent authors have befogged this essential relationship.”
Devine begins with Karl Marx setting capitalism’s roots in feudalism and the
implications of that traditionalist inheritance, finally transformed by
Rousseau’s “Christian heresy,” which turned the vision of heavenly perfection
into an impossibly perfect ideal for earthly society.
To unravel this capitalist enigma,
Devine identifies the roots of the confusion, critiques the rationalized
responses, and identifies the remedy―the revival of an historical Lockean
pluralism able to fuse a moral scaffolding sufficient to hold the walls and
preserve the best of capitalist civilization.
Editorial Reviews
"Why does history record prosperity
for the mass of ordinary people only within Western civilization and in the
context of free markets? Donald Devine’s exploration of the enduring tension
between capitalism and the moral order is the best answer to this question
since Adam Smith’s. Like Smith, Devine shows the mutually sustaining nature of
morality and economic freedom, and provides a much needed clearing away of the
confusion with which recent authors have befogged this essential
relationship."―Angelo M. Codevilla, Professor Emeritus, Pardee School of
Global Studies, Boston University
In this profound and sweeping study, Donald Devine illuminates the foundations
of our liberal order, takes its serious critics seriously, and answers them in
their own terms―which he demonstrates are ultimately moral terms, in the
deepest sense. This is an essential book for understanding the prospects of our
politics.―Yuval Levin, American Enterprise Institute
Too many defenses of the market economy focus on narrow economic considerations
alone. To make a deep and compelling case requires an understanding not only of
economics, but of broader issues in ethics, political science, history, and
philosophy. Few are qualified to do this, but Donald Devine certainly is,
as The Enduring Tension demonstrates. ―Edward Feser, Professor
of Philosophy, Pasadena City College
Donald Devine provides an invaluable guide to the sometimes solid, sometimes
dreamy ideas about economic and social life we will have to contend with if we
want to build and sustain a humane world. Drawing from history, political
philosophy, theology, and a practitioner’s wisdom, he concludes that there can
be no vibrant capitalism without a robust moral tradition. We must take his
insights to heart and work to fortify that tradition.―Joshua Mitchell,
Professor of Political Theory, Georgetown University
In an era of new challenges, Donald Devine reveals the historical roots and the
moral necessity of pluralism and capitalism. The Enduring Tension is
an essential book for a dark time.―Samuel Goldman, Associate Professor of
Political Science, George Washington University
The Enduring Tension isn’t just a book that makes the moral case
for capitalism―it’s a whole library in one volume. Donald Devine channels a
lifetime of experience and scholarship into this indispensable work, where his
erudition is matched only by his passion and eloquence.―Daniel McCarthy,
Editor, Modern Age
When capitalism’s legitimacy faces an onslaught of naysaying, Donald Devine
does the necessary work of reconciling human freedom, capitalism, and morality.
Edmund Burke counseled us to stand on the shoulders of giants, and Devine is
one of those sagacious giants.―Rachel Bovard, Policy Director, Conservative
Partnership Institute
About the Author
Donald J. Devine is Senior Scholar at
the Fund for American Studies, an academic, columnist; lecturer, and author of
nine previous books. Dr. Devine is the last of the dozen intellectuals once
identified as the “leading lights” of the post war fusionist re-evaluation of
conservative and libertarian thinking. For a quarter-century he was a professor
of government at the University of Maryland and Bellevue University. He was a
longtime advisor to Ronald Reagan and served as his Director of the U.S. Office
of Personnel Management during his first presidential term.
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