Rethinking the American Experiment (via Insight Scoop)
John Zmirak is one of the authors of the book -- he also wrote this essay: The Myth of Catholic Social Teaching
Even CST must be judged as to under which part of the ordinary Magisterium various pronouncements fall. The Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine recognizes that CST is a product of moral theology. However, Zmirak may go too far in his critique -- slavery which is a punishment may not be unjust or intrinsically evil. There probably has been a change on teaching on the charging of interest for certain loans, to the detriment of society. As for religious liberty - I do not think his interpretation of Dignitatis Humanae as a rupture with previous papal prenouncements is the only tenable one. Finally, the infliction of pain as a punishment is different in its moral species from its use to coerce the revealing of information or the confession of guilt. The latter, as a means of coercion, is unjust, unless it has the character of punishment (for disobeying a lawful command to reveal information), but even that justification of the use of torture is problematic when one considers due process and procedural justice.
Zmirak has shifted in his views over time and the essay reflects this shift.
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