Mary Hirschfeld on Economics, Culture, and Aquinas and the Market

In *Aquinas and the Market: Toward a Humane Economy*, Mary L. Hirschfeld seeks to bridge the intellectual divide between economists and theologians. She argues that an economics rooted in Thomistic thought can integrate economic insights with a broader understanding of human flourishing, offering a critical perspective on the ethical shortcomings of modern capitalism. Hirschfeld proposes a humane economy where material wealth serves human happiness rather than being an end in itself.

In 'The Overworked American', Juliet B. Schor examines the paradox of increased work hours despite rising productivity in the U.S. She argues that Americans are working more than ever, often exceeding their European counterparts by hundreds of hours annually. Schor attributes this trend to factors like consumer debt, upgraded household standards, and the structure of the labor market. The book offers insights into the societal pressures driving overwork and proposes reforms to improve work-life balance.

In 'The Overspent American', Juliet B. Schor examines the cultural pressures driving American consumerism, where spending has become a social status symbol. She discusses how people compare themselves to higher-income groups and how this affects their spending habits. The book also explores the concept of 'downshifting'—adopting simpler lifestyles to escape the cycle of excessive consumption.

In 'What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets,' Michael J. Sandel argues that over the past three decades, markets and market values have expanded into spheres of life where they do not belong. He contends that this shift has degraded certain moral and civic goods, such as altruism, generosity, and civic spirit, which are not commodities that can be bought or sold. Sandel critiques the prevailing ideology that places faith in markets as the primary means for achieving the public good and advocates for a public debate on keeping markets in their place to protect the moral and civic values that money cannot buy.