The Least of These: Race, Law, and Religion in American Culture

Examining race, law and religion in today's America, this book highlights the power of these principles to both divide and unite, and promotes and new form of liberalism which incorporates the spiritual values neglected by earlier liberals. Cook looks at progressive liberals such as John Dewy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Walther Rauschenbusch, and traces the development of the progressive movement in law and politics from the post-World War II era to the present.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Part 1 The Quest for a Common Faith in American Progressive Liberalism; intro2 Introduction; Chapter 1 John Dewey and the Quest for a Common Faith; Chapter 2 Legal Realism and the Quest for a Common Faith; Part 2 God and Democracy; intro3 Introduction; Chapter 3 Institutionalizing the Christian Value of Love through the Social Gospel; Chapter 4 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African-American Religious Origins of the Beloved Community; Chapter 5 The Spiritual, Social and Strategic Dimensions of the Beloved Community; Part 3 The Beloved Community; intro4 Introduction; Chapter 6 Toward a Normative Framework of a Love-Based Community; Chapter 7 Racism and the Price of Denial; Chapter 8 Toward a Progressive Liberal Understanding of Racism; Chapter 9 Where Progressive Liberalism Went Wrong in the Affirmative Action Debate;

Review :
"Anthony Cook's powerful book is a pioneering work that connects legal theory, religious thought, American Studies, and race in a fascinating manner. How refreshing it is to have such a sophisticated legal scholar put forward a progressive religiospiritual vision of racial and economic justice!" -- Cornel West, Harvard University "The Least of These provides a religious and spiritual framework for the progressive vision of America and reminds us of the essential place of compassion and spirituality in creating a more just and egalitarian world." -- William H. Gray, III, President, United Negro College Fund "Critical race theory wants to bring race to the very center of the analysis of most situations," said Professor Anthony Cook.."Its assumption is that race has affected our perception of reality and our understanding of the world-in almost every way."