The World as It Could Be: Catholic Social Thought for a New Generation
“The World as it Could Beoffers a thoroughly understandable  explanation of the richness of Catholic social thought applied to a  broad range of contemporary moral challenges. Most importantly, Father  Williams explains how the truth about the dignity of the human  person—rooted in God’s creation of Man in His image—has shaped Catholic  social teaching about the ‘new things’ challenging this dignity from  Pope Leo XIII to Pope Benedict XVI. The result is a remarkable set of  insights about the ordering of society that best promotes integral human  development.”  —Newt Gingrich,former Speaker of the House“This  is an important book—a richly sourced, intelligent and engaging   overview of the roots and current state of Catholic social thought.   Grounded in excellent scholarship and written with admirable clarity and   balance, this text will be an invaluable resource for Catholics  serious  about understanding the social implications of their faith for  years to  come.”  —Charles J. Chaput,Archbishop of Philadelphia“This volume not only explores the riches of Catholic social teaching,   but clarifies and develops important aspects of that teaching. It is   essential reading for anyone interested in Catholic social thought.”    —Kenneth L. Grasso, Texas State University“Someone who knew nothing of the tradition of Catholic thought about morality and social life would find inThe World as It Could Bea lucid and compelling introduction to the subject. But Fr. Williams’  book is far more than that. It is a philosophically sophisticated  engagement with that great and challenging tradition by a scholar who  recognizes that, for all its virtues, it is and will always be a work in  progress.”  —Robert P. George, professor, Princeton University“Father Thomas Williams manages to make clear the thought of the Social  Magisterium even while taking the reader through the challenging  complexity of the subject matter. He emphasizes consistency at the level  of principles without ignoring the way that the questions and  approaches to problems evolve. This book is useful for beginners and  scholars.”  —Russell Hittinger, professor, University of Tulsa“Fr. Thomas Williams is a distinguished teacher of the social doctrine  of the Church. His thoughtful and expert reflections on its historical  development and on possible approaches to new issues and challenges makeThe World as it Could Bea valuable resource for all those  interested in the wisdom the Church’s social teaching offers society for  the twenty-first century.”  —George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney“A leading expert on the Church’s social teachings, Father Williams  writes with verve and clarity on the development of doctrine in fields  as diverse as the legitimate use of force, global governance, our duties  to our neighbors, and the challenge of scientific advances that have  run ahead of moral reflection.”  —Mary Ann Glendon, professor, Harvard  University