Is the Market Moral? A Dialogue on Religion, Economics, and Justice

In the aftermath of the corporate scandals, Congress considered legislation affecting transparency and accountability in the business sector. Lawmakers dealt not only with policy issues connected to investment and reward, but also with personal responsibility and right conduct. Religious voices have much to say about matters related to family and sexuality, but they also have much to teach about the workings of the economy, the just distribution of its fruits, and the relationship between entrepreneurs and social justice.

In Is the Market Moral? economic policy experts Rebecca M. Blank and William McGurn reflect on the moral underpinnings of economic systems and what it takes to make them just. This new Brookings book—the second volume in the Pew Forum Dialogues on Religion and Public Life—follows a long tradition of debate in religious circles about the morality of markets. Offering contrasting views of the market, authors Blank and McGurn bring new vigor to the debate based on their longtime practice and understanding of economic policy.

Reception to follow.

Moderator:

E.J. DIONNE, JR.
Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; Co-chair, Pew Forum on Religion and
Columnist, Washington Post Writers Group

Panelists:

REBECCA M. BLANK
Dean, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan; Former Member, President’s Council of Economic Advisers

WILLIAM MCGURN
Chief Editorial Writer, Wall Street Journal

LAWRENCE MISHEL
President, Economic Policy Institute

RAMESH PONNURU
Senior Editor, National Review

RSVP: Online at www.pewforum.org or call the Pew Forum at 202/955-5075.