We live in a time when democracy can no longer be taken for granted. Prominent Christian intellectuals, political activists, and even public officials now openly express interest in nondemocratic forms of government, while some progressives doubt that traditional Christian beliefs are compatible with liberal democracy. In such a political climate, it is easy to forget the important successes of Christian democrats in bringing modern Catholic social teaching to bear on the great economic problems of the twentieth century. In postwar Europe, Christian Democratic parties helped build the modern welfare state. In the United States, a Democratic U.S. senator (and Catholic convert) was inspired by the teachings of Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI to sponsor the legislation that created the National Labor Relations Board. At a recent conference cosponsored by Villanova University and the Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture, the journalist Sohrab Ahmari argued that a renewal of the Christian-democratic tradition could help us address some of the challenges of this century—especially the economic and social impact of artificial intelligence. We present the lightly adapted text of Ahmari’s lecture followed by four responses delivered at the conference.

“Escaping the ‘Torment Nexus,’” by Sohrab Ahmari

Find the responses here:
Joseph A. McCartin on who we should compromise with, and how
Lisa Sowle Cahill on how to prioritize the principles of Catholic teaching
Patrick McKinley Brennan on a judicial philosophy oriented to the common good
John J. DiIulio Jr. on the danger AI poses to labor and humanity