Understanding the Modern Culture Wars: The Essentials of Western Civilization

This book chronicles the development of the foundational principles upon which Western culture is established. This culture has been profoundly shaped by Christianity. It has allowed the people living within it to flourish to a greater extent than any other in human history. Today there are forces at work within our own educational institutions that are seeking to destroy this culture by denying its very foundational principles. If supporters of Western civilization fail to understand the basis upon which it rests, they may unwittingly succumb to this assault. Because of this, it is essential that those who wish to protect and advance the culture understand these principles. The aim of this book is to provide its readers with that understanding.

The book is designed to be used as an introductory text in Western Civilization and is equally well suited for a group study series or for individual reading. Complete with study questions for each chapter as well as a comprehensive index.

Paul A. Cleveland is part of the economics faculty at Birmingham-Southern College. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from Texas A&M University and began his career teaching at SUNY-Geneseo in 1985. After spending one year as a Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Central Florida in Orlando in 1989, he joined the faculty at Birmingham-Southern.

His principal academic research is focused on the study of free enterprise and entrepreneurial human action. In pursuing his studies, he also reads heavily in the areas of philosophy, theology, and history, which are helpful in exploring the morality of free markets. One of his main interests is an examination of the proper role of government in society and the problems created when it enacts policy mandates beyond its appropriate boundaries. In the pursuit of showing how to build and promote a free and virtuous society, he has affiliated with the Acton Institute where he serves as an Adjunct Scholar. His articles have been published in numerous places including the Journal of Private Enterprise, Idaho's Economy, Religion and Liberty, and Ideas on Liberty. In addition to his writing, he has lectured on the free market in numerous places including universities in Lithuania, Poland, and Taiwan.

Paul is married and is the father of two children. He is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) where he serves as a ruling elder. He enjoys activities with his family and plays golf when time allows.