Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Three in One: Essays on Democratic Capitalism, 1976-2000

Throughout his many writings, Michael Novak, one of the leading Catholic social theorists of our times, has urged us to adopt a tripartite system of democratic capitalism including a market economy, a democratic polity, and a moral-cultural system that would nourish the values and virtues on which free societies depend. Three in One introduces the reader to Novak's portrait of democratic capitalism. Review This collection of essays brings together for the first time all the many essays and op-ed pieces in which Novak developed and extended his basic argument. Recommended for public and academic library collections, lower-division undergraduate through faculty.--CHOICE Mr. Novak deserves credit for alerting us to what I call 'America's Other Democracy'--a giant endless plebiscite in which consumers vote not every other year but daily, frequently, directly, scrupulously, a democracy disciplining producers everywhere to toe the mark, a democracy meriting the observation of Milton Friedman bearing on the state that nobody spends other people's money as carefully as he spends his own. Ludwig Mises called the process 'consumer sovereignty.' Michael Novak, a man who makes you think, calls it, simply, 'democratic capitalism.'--William H. Peterson, Washington Times "The Washington Times " Michael Novak foregoes any illusion that the models of 'political economy' will ever 'measure up to the height and depth of the Kingdom of God.' But political economy was understood in the beginning to encompass moral philosophy, and in the hands of a master, questions of right and wrong will soon lead outward, to reflection about the divine origin of human things. Novak puts his own accent on the 'incarnational dimension' in theology: The most prosaic parts of life may be touched by a divine grace in ways often 'hidden like the workings of yeast.' Making a living, supporting a family, sustaining workers and clients in a market-they may all require love and art and devotions that are enduring. But to put them together in a compelling way requires the learning of a theologian, joined with the wit and savvy of an accomplished writer. This is vintage Michael Novak, as only he can write it.--Hadley Arkes, Amherst College Three In One is a fascinating collection of essays on the centrality of faith and culture in our economic life. Michael Novak is an authentic compassionate conservative. He is a passionate, though not uncritical, champion of democratic capitalism. These essays are not only profound, they also are fun.--Albert Hunt, Wall Street Journal About the Author Michael Novak holds the George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., where he is also the director of social and political studies. He is the author of more than twenty five books on philosophy, religion, politics, economics, and culture. Edward W. Younkins is professor in the Department of Business and Technology at Wheeling Jesuit University and the founder of the University's degree program in political and economic philosophy.