It Takes a Family

by Santorum, Rick

• ISBN13: 9781932236835
• ISBN10: 193223683X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-15
• Publisher: Isi Books

Summary

Among politicians of national stature today, there is perhaps none more respected as a principled conservative than Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). In It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, his first book, Santorum articulates the humane vision that he believes must inform public policy if it is to be effective and just. An appreciation for the civic bonds that unite a community lies at the heart of genuine conservatism. Moreover, Senator Santorum demonstrates how such an approach to political, social, and economic problems offers the most promise for those on the margin of life: the poor, the vulnerable, and minorities who have often been excluded from opportunity in America. Santorum argues that conservative statesmanship is animated by a sense of stewardship for an inheritance. But what do we inherit as Americans? And how can we be good stewards of that inheritance? Building on Robert Putnam's discussion of "social capital," the habits of association and trust that are the preconditions of any decent society, Santorum assesses how well, in the past generation, Americans have cared for the "fabric" of society. He explores in detail various dimensions of social and cultural connection that are the foundation of the common good. And he presents innovative policy proposals for the renewal of American society at all levels. Throughout his book, Santorum emphasizes the central role of the familyin contradistinction to the metaphorical "village" of the federal government, as promoted by Senator Hillary Rodham Clintonin achieving the common good. With a sustained argument touching on first principles throughout, this ambitious and original book is a major contribution to contemporary political debate. It Takes a Family will further establish Senator Santorum as the leader of reform-minded civic conservatives in America.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Part One: IT TAKES A FAMILY
The Task of Stewardship	3	(10)
The Liberal Vision: No-Fault Freedom	13	(8)
Families and the Common Good	21	(7)
The Meaning of Family	28	(15)
Part Two: SOCIAL CAPITAL AND THE TIES THAT BIND
What Kind of Freedom?	43	(7)
Habits of Association	50	(8)
Trust and Civic Connection	58	(7)
Subsidiarity vs. Central Control	65	(8)
Changing Lives, Building Families	73	(20)
Parents and Children	93	(8)
Religion and Social Capital	101	(8)
Where Social Capital Is Weakest	109	(10)
Part Three: THE ROOTS OF PROSPERITY
Abundant Families in the Land of Plenty	119	(8)
Economic Responsibility	127	(8)
Work and Human Dignity	135	(8)
Wealth and Ownership	143	(20)
The Power of Knowledge	163	(5)
Faith-Based Transformations	168	(8)
Smart Reinvesting	176	(13)
Wealth and Race	189	(8)
Part Four: MORAL ECOLOGY
Liberty and Virtue	197	(13)
Moral Capital and the Moral Environment	210	(10)
The Rule of Judges	220	(19)
Abortion: A Personal Aside	239	(9)
The Impact of Partial Birth Abortion	248	(10)
How Abortion Affects Our Moral Ecology	258	(13)
Part Five: CULTURE MATTERS
The Good, the True, and the Beautiful	271	(7)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly	278	(10)
Culture: Ally or Adversary?	288	(16)
Violence and a Coarsened Society	304	(9)
Sex, Drugs, and Rock `n' Roll: Mostly Sex	313	(7)
Not Withdraw, but Engage	320	(6)
Culture-Makers, Culture-Mongers, Culture-Consumers	326	(14)
Culture and Public Policy	340	(11)
Part Six: EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Knowledge, Truth, and Education	351	(9)
Who Rules the Schools?	360	(11)
Not Raising Children, but Raising Adults	371	(12)
Bringing the Lessons Home	383	(5)
Moral Truth and the End of Man	388	(15)
Higher Education and Liberal Education	403	(18)
Conclusion	421	(8)
Bibliographical Note	429	(10)
Index	439