From Athens to America calls for the reversal of the withdrawal of the character-forming function from the political domain, arguing for public sector_federal, state, and local_involvement in character formation. Solomon focuses on four specific virtues to serve as a guide to public policy formation: self-esteem, joy and optimism, equanimity, and personal responsibility. He calls for the public sector to move beyond the efforts of families, faith communities, and civic organizations, and take a vital role in fostering character development and promoting these virtues. Combining political...

This pioneering book charts how President George W. Bush's 'compassionate conservatism' creates a new path for American Social Policy. There is a growing interest in testing the proposition that faith-based organizations (FBOs) could do even greater good, especially if government supports an expanded role. The organizations represent a potentially valuable, but controversial, resource because they offer to fight a very different war against America's social ills. This work offers three conclusions. First, FBOs are effective in dealing with chronic social problems because they spark personal...