Sustainable Abundance for All: Catholic Social Thought and Action in a Risky Runaway World

What constitutes the good life and authentic Christian leadership in a high-speed technological society geared to perpetual economic growth? In a world of rapid change and heightened risks how do we move beyond the tyranny of emergency and polarization toward a politics of engagement and time oriented to the long-term common good? Taking up key themes in the social teaching of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis Sustainable Abundance for All argues that life in a risky runaway world requires new forms of Christian praxis that are both forward-looking and rooted in tradition. Among the issues addressed are pathways toward sustainable development in the Anthropocene automation and the transition to post-jobs society the proactionary-precautionary debate over new technologies and the dangers of becoming people of the device. Sustainable Abundance for All lays the groundwork for new kinds of Christian social action and prophetic witness in the twenty-first century. Sustainable Abundance for All is Christian social ethics at its best. At this anxious moment accelerating technological achievements come with possibly catastrophic risks--to the natural world social structures and even the human spirit. Ted Nunez explores the evolving wisdom of the Catholic social tradition on these matters then leads that tradition and his readers out onto the contemporary cultural dance floor in search of new partners and ultimately a more passionately loving dance with our world. --Daniel Cowdin Salve Regina University Keenly aware of past influences that prompted technological development the present fast-paced growth of technologies that have put the Earth community at risk and projected large-scale catastrophes in the future Nunez superbly analyzes Catholic social teaching from 1891 onward for its adequacy in addressing technological development and insightfully crafts an innovative faith-based approach for assessing technological risks embracing technologies that are socially ecologically and economically compatible and launching the quest for sustaining an abundantly gifted but imperiled planetary home. His ethics of responsible care case studies of current problems and a cleverly articulated analogy of taking the lead in dancing the tango further enhance this splendid contribution to the scholarly literature. --Jame Schaefer Systematic Theology and Ethics Professor Marquette University Ted Nunez roars through technologically accelerating American culture--where its tough to tell progress from regress from destruction--with a smarter Catholic social thought in his soul and Laudato Si in his back pocket. Seeking sustainable abundance where others see dystopia he delivers a sharp analysis of our risky runaway society and with a tango-spiced ecosocial theology distills new practices of Catholic social wisdom that should guide any serious discussion about the future of humanity and the planet. --Anthony J. Godzieba Villanova University Nunez offers us an informed elegant and prophetic vision for a future of sustainable abundance. Rooted in the tradition of Catholic social principles and aimed at the world-risking technocracy emerging around us today this book evocatively invites us to the adjacent possible a future we confront not with despair but along axes of grace joy realism and hope. A wonderful read this book is an essential prod to creatively reimagine our economic and ecological tomorrow. --James Calvin Davis author of Forbearance: A Theological Ethic for a Disagreeable Church Ted Nunez teaches in the Ethics Program at Villanova University and is an award-winning researcher in the area of Catholic social teaching and sustainable development. An Argentine tango dancer Ted conducts interactive workshops on integral ecology and moral leadership for high school college and professional groups (www.closeembraces.com).