<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Many social theorists hold that the corporation is the key institution of the modern world. Novak wrote four books on the corporation, viewing it as the chief instrument of innovation within “democratic capitalism”, and the concrete entity in which its three systems (political, economic, moral-cultural) converge. We look at Novak’s account with its roots in Maritain, and at Novak’s intention to ground this account in the ideals of the American Founding, and in a Christian understanding of grace. “The corporation” turns out to be an excellent pathway into Novak’s thought and a safeguard against some fundamental mistakes in interpreting him.</p>
</abstract>

Many social theorists hold that the corporation is the key institution of the modern world. Novak wrote four books on the corporation, viewing it as the chief instrument of innovation within “democratic capitalism”, and the concrete entity in which its three systems (political, economic, moral-cultural) converge. We look at Novak’s account with its roots in Maritain, and at Novak’s intention to ground this account in the ideals of the American Founding, and in a Christian understanding of grace. “The corporation” turns out to be an excellent pathway into Novak’s thought and a safeguard against some fundamental mistakes in interpreting him.

Understanding Novak’s <italic>Spirit of democratic capitalism</italic> through “the corporation”

The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Ethics & Bioethics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Understanding Novak’s  through “the corporation”

Many social theorists hold that the corporation is the key institution of the modern world. Novak wrote four books on the corporation, viewing it as the chief...

Understanding Novak’s Spirit of democratic capitalism through “the corporation”

Published Online: Dec 09, 2023

Page range: 169 - 184

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ebce-2023-0020

Keywords
Michael Novak, democratic capitalism, capitalism, corporation, civil society, Maritain, free society

© 2023 Michael Pakaluk, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Understanding Novak’s Spirit of democratic capitalism through “the corporation”

Published Online: Dec 09, 2023

Page range: 169 - 184

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ebce-2023-0020

KeywordsMichael Novak, democratic capitalism, capitalism, corporation, civil society, Maritain, free society

© 2023 Michael Pakaluk, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Michael Novak, democratic capitalism, capitalism, corporation, civil society, Maritain, free society