Role of Government

TOPIC 12: ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

Please consider the following potential leading questions for a conversation to be launched on September 19.

#1: If the role of government is to “promote a just order in society that benefits the common good” (a belief shared by our six regular commentators), what are the implications for the scope and role of government?

#2: If it is important to preserve the role of segments of civil society besides government (e. g, families, religious bodies, voluntary organizations) – another belief shared by our six regular commentators – what should be the relationships between the roles of government and the roles of these other non-governmental entities?

#3: Given the perennial debate about the balance between the roles of federal and state governments, what do you believe is the most appropriate balance?

#4: Is the Romney/Ryan/Republican vision of the purpose/role of government or the Obama/Democrat vision of the purpose/role of government more in keeping with a prudential, thoughtful application of biblical principles on the role and purpose of government?

#5: However “big” or “small” you believe government should be, what concrete steps can be taken to get beyond the current “gridlock” that works against the possibility of much needed legislation on many critical public policy issues facing our nation (like those addressed in this Alternative Political Conversation)?