'Gary Chartier contends that the modern nation state is not just morally ambiguous, but is morally illegitimate, dangerous, and unnecessary. More boldly still, Chartier predicts that in due course, the international order of political states will dissipate and be replaced by a radically new global configuration of overlapping 'consociational' societies. He harbors hope that this radically new social order will generate unprecedented common global good. One does not have to accept this hope as plausible in order to appreciate the many strengths of Chartier's main moral thesis. Beginning to end, he displays a wide-ranging command of the relevant scholarly literature, his analysis is incisive and penetrating, his arguments are finely nuanced and rigorous, and the discussion is rich in fresh insights and provocative perspectives. On the whole, this book is a very valuable contribution to both theological and broadly philosophical social moral theory and ethics.' John Schneider, Professor of Theology, Emeritus, Calvin Collegealvin Collegealvin Collegealvin College.