Call for Papers
In dialogue with Augustine’s robust theological imagination, the Imagining Justice conference will focus upon the political implications of religious belief for many of today’s national and global debates in areas of public policy and international affairs. Yet below the surface of many of these debates lie fundamental questions arising from differing understandings of anthropology, justice, community and eschatology. So in order to highlight (and engage) some of these issues, each of the plenary sessions of this year’s conference will be framed by three such overarching questions:
• What effect does the acceptance (or dismissal) of the Augustinian commitment to original sin have on the political perspectives and practices of policy makers and citizens?
• What effect does the pluralistic context of today’s democratic societies have on our understanding and application of the Augustinian commitment to the legitimacy of political authority and exercise of coercive political power?
• What effect does an Augustinian-like commitment to an explicit (or even implicit) eschatological vision have on the practical out-workings of one’s political agenda?
In addition to the plenary sessions, a number of other scholarly papers related to these three questions will be presented this year. So from February 1 to June 1, 2008, we will be accepting proposals for potential papers from scholars interested in participating in this year’s conference. In addition to meeting the guidelines outlined below, acceptable proposals will exhibit a clear relevance to one of the three overarching questions framing the conference. Suggested topics might include (but are not limited to):
1. Analytical treatments of an aspect of Augustine’s political thought.
2. Historical treatments of the influence of Augustinian political thought.
3. Discussions of non-Christian but religious political theories/visions.
4. Policy proposals reflecting the application of religious belief to political decision-making.
5. Analysis of Christian eschatological views on American (or global) politics.
6. Islamic understandings of the state and faith’s role in shaping it.
7. Discussions of religion’s political role in a pluralistic context.
8. Treatments of the nature and limits of political coercion in a democratic society.
9. Theocracy: Real or imagined threat in a Western democratic context?
10. Does democratic capitalism have an eschatological vision?
11. Relationship between religious belief and political violence in today’s world.
12. Discussions of the political significance of differing anthropological perspectives.
13. Sin: Is it politically relevant in an increasingly secular context?
14. Alternatives to an Augustinian approach to political order.
15. Justice: How do we define it, protect it and actualize it in a religiously diverse world?
Please limit proposals to 500 words or less and submit via email to:
SaraJoy@maclaurin.org or via mail to
Attn: Sara Joy Proppe, MacLaurin Institute,
1501 University Ave. SE, Ste. 300, Mpls, MN 55414.
Proposals must be postmarked no later than the June 1, 2008, deadline. Please include your name, email, address, and CV along with the proposal.
