A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustine's Political Thought

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A bold new interpretation of Augustines virtue of hope and its place in political life

When it comes to politics, Augustine of Hippo is renowned as one of historys great pessimists, with his sights set firmly on the heavenly city rather than the public square. Many have enlisted him to chasten political hopes, highlighting the realities of evil and encouraging citizens instead to cast their hopes on heaven. A Commonwealth of Hope challenges prevailing interpretations of Augustinian pessimism, offering a new vision of his political thought that can also help todays citizens sustain hope in the face of despair.

Amid rising inequality, injustice, and political division, many citizens wonder what to hope for in politics and whether it is possible to forge common hopes in a deeply polarized society. Michael Lamb takes up this challenge, offering the first in-depth analysis of Augustines virtue of hope and its profound implications for political life. He draws on a wide range of Augustines writingsincluding neglected sermons, letters, and treatisesand integrates insights from political theory, religious studies, theology, and philosophy. Lamb shows how diverse citizens, both religious and secular, can unite around common hopes for the commonwealth.

Recovering this understudied virtue and situating Augustine within his political, rhetorical, and religious contexts, A Commonwealth of Hope reveals how Augustines virtue of hope can help us resist the politics of presumption and despair and confront the challenges of our time.

Reviews

"[Lamb] introduces his readers to another Augustine. This Augustine was not a pessimist but a champion of hope. He encouraged his hearers to hope for the well-being of the city. And he possessed an expansive vision of Christians and non-Christians working together to improve their lives on earth."---Aaron Alexander Zubia, Wall Street Journal
"Michael Lambs A Commonwealth of Hope: Augustines Political Thought is an important intervention not only in Augustine studies, but also in our politics of stagnation and hopelessness."---Terence Sweeney, Public Discourse
"Excellent."---Frank Litton, The Irish Catholic

Author Bio

Michael Lamb is the F. M. Kirby Foundation Chair of Leadership and Character, associate professor of interdisciplinary humanities, and executive director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. He is also a research fellow with the Oxford Character Project. Twitter @KMLamb