The function of the church as critic of society: exemplified in the area of United States international policy

Abstract

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityThe purpose of this dissertation is to examine the function of the church as critic of society in the area of international relations. In order that the analysis will have some practical value as an evaluative tool, the goals of a particular nation, the United States, have been chosen as a specific context within which the criticism of the church regarding international affairs may be focused. The problem is basically concerned with analysis and application of the implications of the normative structure of the concept of the Responsible Society in the area of a responsible world community. Although many men have advanced elaborations and drawn forth implications of the concept formulated at Amsterdam, specifically Walter Muelder's contribution is considered in this dissertation, primarily because of its applicability in three areas: first, in the area of advancing the norms of the concept of the Responsible Society in an international context; second, in the context of a criticism of the specific goals of the United States regarding international relations policy; and third, as an evaluation of certain aspects of the church's witness regarding problems of war, peace, and disarmament. [TRUNCATED