One Electorate under God?: A Dialogue on Religion and American Politics FROM THE PUBLISHER
The United States has been described as a nation with the soul of a
church. Religion is discussed more explicitly and more urgently in American
politics than in the public debates of any other wealthy democracy. It is
certain to play an important role in the elections of 2004. Yet debates over
religion and politics are often narrow and highly partisan, although the
questions at hand demand a broader and more civil discussion. One Electorate
under God? widens the dialogue by bringing together in one volume some of the
most influential voices in American intellectual and political life.
This book draws on a public debate between former New York governor Mario
Cuomo and Indiana congressman Mark Souder, who discuss how their respective
faith convictions have been both shaped by and reflected in their careers as
public servants.
This discussion, in turn, prompted commentary by a diverse group of
scholars, politicians, journalists, and religious leaders who are engaged
simultaneously in the religious and policy realms. Each contributor offers
insights on how political leaders and religious convictions shape our politics.
One Electorate under God? arises from the idea that public deliberation is
more honestand more democraticwhen officials are open and reflective about the
interactions between their religious convictions and their commitments in the
secular realm. This volumethe first of its kindseeks to promote a greater
understanding of American thinking about faith and public office in a
pluralistic society. Contributors include Joanna Adams, Azizah Al-Hibri,
Doug Bandow, Michael Barone, Gary Bauer, Robert Bellah, David Brooks, Harvey
Cox, Michael Cromartie, John DiIulio Jr., Terry Eastland, Robert Edgar, Jean
Bethke Elshtain, Richard Wightman Fox, William Galston, Robert George, Andrew
Greeley, John Green, Anna Greenberg, Susannah Heschel, Representative Amo
Houghton (R-New York), Michael Kazin, Martha Minow, Stephen Monsma, Mark Noll,
Rabbi David Novak, Ramesh Ponnuru, Representative David E. Price (D-North
Carolina), Jeffrey Rosen, Cheryl Sanders, Ron Sider, Jim Skillen, Matthew
Spalding, Jeffrey Stout, John Sweeney, Roberto Suro, Margaret OBrien Steinfels,
Jim Towey, Doug Tanner, Mark Warren, Alan Wolfe, and Andrew Young.
Author Description: E.J. Dionne Jr. is a senior
fellow at the Brookings Institution, cochair of the Pew Forum on Religion and
Public Life, and a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group.
Kayla M. Drogosz is the senior research analyst for the project on religion
and civil society at the Brookings Institution and coeditor of United We Serve
(with E.J. Dionne Jr. and Robert E. Litan, Brookings 2003).
Jean Bethke Elshtain is a Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and
Political Ethics at the University of Chicago and cochair of the Pew Forum on
Religion and Public Life.
SYNOPSIS
A product of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, this text presents a collection of essays debating the role of religion in American politics. The text is anchored upon a pair of opposing essays by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, a liberal Catholic, and Indiana Congressman Marc Souder, a conservative evangelical. After these two essays Souder and Cuomo, with others, respond to the positions of their opponent. This is followed by 39 short essays touching upon the theme by such figures as Gary Bauer, Paul Begala, David Brooks, and John Sweeney. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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