Religion and the Liberal State in Niebuhr's Christian Realism

This book aims to analyze Reinhold Niebuhr's understanding of the state in his Christian Realism and develop a hypothesis regarding the political, social, organizational, or intellectual context in which he made use of different definitions of the state. It will explore when Niebuhr supported the extension of state power and when he criticized tendencies toward autocratic structures inside Western-style democracies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 209 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2021
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

This book aims to analyze Reinhold Niebuhr's understanding of the state in his Christian Realism, a topic that has received thorough examination in various disciplines but has yet to be given specific attention in this context. While his overall notion has been extensively studied, this particular focus can be identified as a gap. The primary objective of this book is to propose a hypothesis regarding the political, social, organizational, or intellectual context in which Niebuhr employed different definitions of the state. Furthermore, it seeks to explore when Niebuhr supported the expansion of state power, such as during times of war or economic crises, and when he criticized tendencies towards autocratic structures within Western-style democracies.

Niebuhr's understanding of the state was influenced by his Christian Realism, which emphasized the importance of human sinfulness and the need for redemption. He believed that the state had a crucial role to play in promoting social justice and human well-being, but he also recognized the potential for the state to become corrupt and oppressive.

Niebuhr's definition of the state varied depending on the context in which he was writing. In his earlier works, such as Moral Man and Immoral Man, he defined the state as a social institution that was responsible for promoting the common good and protecting individual rights. However, in his later works, such as The Moral Man and Immoral Society, he argued that the state could be both moral and immoral, depending on the policies it pursued.

Niebuhr supported the expansion of state power in certain situations, such as during times of war or economic crisis. He believed that the state had a responsibility to protect its citizens from harm and to promote social justice. However, he also criticized tendencies towards autocratic structures inside Western-style democracies, such as the concentration of power in the hands of a few or the erosion of individual rights.

Niebuhr's analysis of the state was influenced by a range of political, social, and intellectual factors. He was a social critic who believed that the state had a responsibility to address the underlying causes of social problems, such as poverty and inequality. He was also a political realist who recognized the power of political institutions and the importance of political compromise.

In conclusion, this book aims to analyze Reinhold Niebuhr's understanding of the state in his Christian Realism, a topic that has received limited attention in the academic literature. By proposing a hypothesis regarding the political, social, organizational, or intellectual context in which Niebuhr employed different definitions of the state, we hope to shed light on his complex and nuanced perspective on the role of the state in promoting social justice and human well-being.

Weight: 303g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658344634
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021