Liberation Theology and Catholic Social Teaching

Abstract

The affinities as well as the distinguishing features of two accounts of the socio-poliitcal dimensions of the gospel are here examined, in the light of the apparent marginalisation of the 'social question' in the post-conciliar Church. How can these two discourses re-engage with contemporary debate? The concern of philosophers such as Giorgio Agamben with the notion of a 'state of exception', and the idea of a 'realistic utopia' being propounded by post-Rawlsian theorists of economic and social justice, offer two opportunities for this