This major work offers an historical description and systematic analysis of the root causes of this global economic crisis, which the authors understand as a crisis of western civilization, and provides a comprehensive solution based on theological social justice.

Foreword Introduction PART I: FOUNDATIONS FOR A RELATIONAL CULTURE OF LIFE IN THE AXIAL AGE: RESISTING LIFE-KILLING ANCIENT AND MODERN CIVILIZATIONS 1. Introduction 2. The Emergence and Development of Division of Labor, Money, Private Property, Empire and Male Domination in Ancient and Modern Civilizations 3. The Socio-psychological Effects of the Money Civilization on the Different Classes 4. The Judeo-Christian Tradition in the Axial Age 5. Buddhism in the Axial Age 6. Islam, a Renewal of the Axial Age Spirituality 7. Classical Greek Philosophy PART II: CRITIQUE OF MODERNITY AND CRITICAL THINKING 8. Introduction 9. The Basic Characteristics of Modernity 10. Functional Mechanisms, Efficiency and the Trivialization of the World 11. The Irrational of the Rationalized: A Methodological Commentary on Instrumental Rationality and its Award of Absolute Supremacy 12. In the Face of Globalization: The Return of the Repressed Subject 13. A Critical Theory and Critique of Mythical Reason PART III: VISION AND PRAXIS OF INTERRELIGIOUS SOLIDARITY FOR LIFE IN JUST RELATIONS TODAY 14. The Vision of Life in Just Relations 15. Alternative Political Economy: Transformation Strategy and Praxis 16. Interreligious Solidarity Practice for Life in Just Relations today: A New Axial Age? Conclusion