A Response to the Conference

Abstract

The question discussed in this article is whether Christian theology should influence contemporary political debates. The topic is discussed through two practical case studies: (1) technological advances in genetic engineering and (2) the just war tradition and the use of force. In the first discussion, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's unfinished Ethics is employed to demonstrate the importance of substantial theological categories to resist a reductionist technological utilitarian discourse about the body. Intrinsic human dignity is essentially God-given. In the second, Aquinas and Augustine add theological complexity and substance to secular discussions of war and peace. Human caring is more than the protection of the sovereign state. A peace that is only the absence of war can disguise many harmful situations. In conclusion, theological discussion brings nuance, richness and depth to secular political debates so long as theologians go beyond simplistic contributions such as ‘God demands’ or ‘The Bible forbids’.     

A Response to David Lehmann

Abstract

The author offers a simple theological framework for critiquing the issues of globalization and empire. The vast majority of people look at the world with theological lenses, and far too often those who attempt to speak to them use language that makes little sense to the rank and file. Here then is one form that such a framework might take.

The Powers Are Good

The Powers Are Fallen

The Powers Can Be Transformed.     

Tibetan Response to Central Government Decision

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China's Response to Pandemics: From Inaction to Overreaction

Two U.S. specialists (on the governance and foreign policy aspects of China's public health issues as well as its human and medical geography) examine how two different sets of policies implemented by the government of China have affected both the geography and political ecology of pandemic disease outbreaks (HIV/AIDS, SARS, and H1N1) over the past two decades. More specifically, they argue that: (1) broad development and reform policies largely responsible for China's rapid modernization/urbanization and increasingly successful perfomance in the global economic arena have generated unexpected side-effects in terms of the location, incidence, and spread of pandemics as well as the state's capacity to mount an adequate health care response; and (2) politically motivated public health policies implemented in response to the spread of specific pandemics in China have had unanticipated impacts on the progression of disease outbreaks and their outcomes. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: H510, H750, I180. 3 figures, 2 tables, 76 references.     

斯大林逝世与美国的反应和政策

1953年3月5日斯大林逝世后,艾森豪威尔政府迅速做出反应,并经过反复讨论,制定出一项利用斯大林逝世的心理战略计划,力图充分利用斯大林逝世提供的机会和苏联权力转移的内在困难,实施心理战和隐蔽行动,以削弱苏联的力量和影响。随着形势的发展,这一计划不断发展,构成艾森豪威尔政府国家安全政策的重要内容。美国对斯大林逝世的反应和政策不仅体现了美国遏制政策的加强,也揭露了美国图谋分裂社会主义阵营的实质。它折射了冷战斗争的严酷性,美国对外政策决策的适时性与实用性;同时也表明心理战、宣传战是美国重要的冷战战略武器,它对苏东剧变、冷战结束起了一种累积的、潜移默化的作用。