The Enduring Tension: Capitalism and the Moral Order

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.

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.

Review :
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