<\/p>\n
Catholic Social Teaching and ‘Moderate’ Socialism<\/h5>\n
<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
What Countries are Socialist?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
This may be a familiar scenario: A few friends or co-workers are discussing economics or politics, and someone asks, \u201cWhat is a \u201csocialist\u201d country?<\/strong> Are Scandinavian countries, like Sweden, socialist? What about Canada? Is Canada socialist?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"Many](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Members-of-the-Democratic-Socialists-of-America-protest-and-march.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Socialist countries and Social Democracies: Does the Church have a \u201cposition\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Someone might argue these are \u2018democratic socialist\u2019 counties or \u2018social democracies\u2019 — the perfect combination of free market capitalism and socialism.<\/span><\/p>\nYou might hear someone say the \u201cNordic Model\u201d is ideal<\/strong>; providing for a thriving economy while also ensuring education, healthcare, labor, etc. are protected.<\/span><\/p>\nDoes the Catholic Church have anything to say about the best economic systems?<\/span><\/p>\n\nThe Church tells us there is little difference between \u201ceven moderate forms of socialism\u201d and unbridled capitalism!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat is Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
First, we must always define our terms. Classic socialism, popularized by Karl Marx, is presented as a transitional economic system between capitalism and communism. Its aim is for state control and ownership of the means of production. People will then share equally in the outputs of the system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church teaches this socialism \u201cmust be utterly rejected<\/strong>, since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit, is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 24)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nPope St. John Paul II, all too familiar with socialist and communist regimes, stated that under socialism, freedom \u201cis replaced<\/strong> by a burdensome system of bureaucratic control which dries up the wellsprings of initiative and creativity\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 25)<\/em><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\nIs Sweden Socialist?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
By the definition given above, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany – indeed no European country is socialist.<\/strong> So, is Canada socialist?<\/span><\/p>\nNo. So the question becomes…<\/span><\/p>\nRead more about the Church’s consistent opposition to Socialism here<\/a><\/p>\nAre they Democratic Socialist Countries?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Again, we must define our terms. Democratic Socialists typically advocate for the government to provide a range of basic services, such as health care and higher education, for free or at a significant discount, and\/or for government control of vast sectors of the economy \u2013 in order to ameliorate perceived \u201cills\u201d (climate change, income inequality, etc.).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBy this definition Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany \u2013 indeed, most European countries, Canada and, to an extent, all countries (USA included) exist somewhere on a spectrum so defined.<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, all these countries also enjoy free market, capitalist economies.<\/span><\/p>\nTheir differences are not in their capitalism. Rather, they<\/strong> differ in their tax and spending<\/strong> policies. Higher taxes typically equating to broader and\/or deeper social spending policies.<\/span><\/p>\nSweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany \u2013 most European countries – have high taxes compared to the USA and larger social welfare programs \u2013 variously including free healthcare, education including university, and extensive public amenities.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile it is complicated, Canada seems to enjoy lower taxes than in the USA and have a free national healthcare system and many social welfare programs.<\/span><\/p>\nDoes the Church Suggest the Ideal \u201cPosition\u201d On this Spectrum?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
No. But the Church warns of the extremes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWelfare States<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
“By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies<\/strong> and an inordinate increase in public agencies which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending. In fact, it would appear that needs are best understood and satisfied by people who are closest to them and who act as neighbors to those in need”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIndividuals and groups have the right to go their own way, even though they may sometimes make mistakes. In full respect for that freedom, civil society is called to help each person and social organization to take up its specific role and thus contribute to the common good.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n“No actual or established power has the right to deprive peoples of the full exercise of their sovereignty.” (Pope Francis, 3.2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nUnbridled Capitalism<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The Church tells us there is little difference between \u201ceven moderate forms of socialism\u201d and unbridled capitalism!<\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \u201cInsofar as it [Unbridled Capitalism] denies<\/strong> an autonomous existence<\/strong> and value to morality, law, culture and religion, it agrees with Marxism, in the sense that it totally reduces man to the sphere of economics and the satisfaction of material needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 19)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nJust like socialism, unbridled capitalism is an “ideological rejection\u2026oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values\u2026A humanism which excludes God is an inhuman humanism.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does the Church Propose?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
“The church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim ‘to interfere in any way in the politics of states’. (Populorum Progressio, 13).” (Pope Benedict XVI, 9)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBut the Church has \u201cclearly outlined the guiding principles [Human Dignity, Solidarity, Subsidiarity] which, while susceptible of varied concrete applications according to the diversified conditions of times and places and peoples, indicate the safe way of securing the happy progress of society.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 34)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n“Our duty is to continue to insist\u2026that the human person and human dignity\u00a0are not simply catchwords, but\u00a0pillars for creating shared rules and structures”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/em>
<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe greatest service to development, then, is a Christian humanism<\/strong> that enkindles charity and takes its lead from truth, accepting both as a lasting gift from God. Openness to God makes us open towards our brothers and sisters and towards an understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished in a spirit of solidarity.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nMarxism vs. CST: Where They Overlap<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Democratic Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCapitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWas Jesus a Socialist?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching: Antidote to Extremism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nKarl Marx and the Catholic Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/socialism\/” button_text=”More About Socialism” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Sign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Socialist countries and Social Democracies: Does the Church have a \u201cposition\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Someone might argue these are \u2018democratic socialist\u2019 counties or \u2018social democracies\u2019 — the perfect combination of free market capitalism and socialism.<\/span><\/p>\n You might hear someone say the \u201cNordic Model\u201d is ideal<\/strong>; providing for a thriving economy while also ensuring education, healthcare, labor, etc. are protected.<\/span><\/p>\n Does the Catholic Church have anything to say about the best economic systems?<\/span><\/p>\n The Church tells us there is little difference between \u201ceven moderate forms of socialism\u201d and unbridled capitalism!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Church teaches this socialism \u201cmust be utterly rejected<\/strong>, since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit, is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 24)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Pope St. John Paul II, all too familiar with socialist and communist regimes, stated that under socialism, freedom \u201cis replaced<\/strong> by a burdensome system of bureaucratic control which dries up the wellsprings of initiative and creativity\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 25)<\/em><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n No. So the question becomes…<\/span><\/p>\n Read more about the Church’s consistent opposition to Socialism here<\/a><\/p>\n By this definition Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany \u2013 indeed, most European countries, Canada and, to an extent, all countries (USA included) exist somewhere on a spectrum so defined.<\/span><\/p>\n However, all these countries also enjoy free market, capitalist economies.<\/span><\/p>\n Their differences are not in their capitalism. Rather, they<\/strong> differ in their tax and spending<\/strong> policies. Higher taxes typically equating to broader and\/or deeper social spending policies.<\/span><\/p>\n Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany \u2013 most European countries – have high taxes compared to the USA and larger social welfare programs \u2013 variously including free healthcare, education including university, and extensive public amenities.<\/span><\/p>\n While it is complicated, Canada seems to enjoy lower taxes than in the USA and have a free national healthcare system and many social welfare programs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIndividuals and groups have the right to go their own way, even though they may sometimes make mistakes. In full respect for that freedom, civil society is called to help each person and social organization to take up its specific role and thus contribute to the common good.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n “No actual or established power has the right to deprive peoples of the full exercise of their sovereignty.” (Pope Francis, 3.2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, \u201cInsofar as it [Unbridled Capitalism] denies<\/strong> an autonomous existence<\/strong> and value to morality, law, culture and religion, it agrees with Marxism, in the sense that it totally reduces man to the sphere of economics and the satisfaction of material needs.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 19)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Just like socialism, unbridled capitalism is an “ideological rejection\u2026oblivious to the Creator and at risk of becoming equally oblivious to human values\u2026A humanism which excludes God is an inhuman humanism.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n But the Church has \u201cclearly outlined the guiding principles [Human Dignity, Solidarity, Subsidiarity] which, while susceptible of varied concrete applications according to the diversified conditions of times and places and peoples, indicate the safe way of securing the happy progress of society.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 34)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n “Our duty is to continue to insist\u2026that the human person and human dignity\u00a0are not simply catchwords, but\u00a0pillars for creating shared rules and structures”. (Pope Francis, 2)<\/a><\/em> \u201cThe greatest service to development, then, is a Christian humanism<\/strong> that enkindles charity and takes its lead from truth, accepting both as a lasting gift from God. Openness to God makes us open towards our brothers and sisters and towards an understanding of life as a joyful task to be accomplished in a spirit of solidarity.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 78)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Marxism vs. CST: Where They Overlap<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is Democratic Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Capitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Was Jesus a Socialist?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching: Antidote to Extremism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Karl Marx and the Catholic Church<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/socialism\/” button_text=”More About Socialism” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
This may be a familiar scenario: A few friends or co-workers are discussing economics or politics, and someone asks, \u201cWhat is a \u201csocialist\u201d country?<\/strong> Are Scandinavian countries, like Sweden, socialist? What about Canada? Is Canada socialist?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n
What is Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
First, we must always define our terms. Classic socialism, popularized by Karl Marx, is presented as a transitional economic system between capitalism and communism. Its aim is for state control and ownership of the means of production. People will then share equally in the outputs of the system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Sweden Socialist?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
By the definition given above, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany – indeed no European country is socialist.<\/strong> So, is Canada socialist?<\/span><\/p>\nAre they Democratic Socialist Countries?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Again, we must define our terms. Democratic Socialists typically advocate for the government to provide a range of basic services, such as health care and higher education, for free or at a significant discount, and\/or for government control of vast sectors of the economy \u2013 in order to ameliorate perceived \u201cills\u201d (climate change, income inequality, etc.).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDoes the Church Suggest the Ideal \u201cPosition\u201d On this Spectrum?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
No. But the Church warns of the extremes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWelfare States<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
“By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies<\/strong> and an inordinate increase in public agencies which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending. In fact, it would appear that needs are best understood and satisfied by people who are closest to them and who act as neighbors to those in need”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 48)<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nUnbridled Capitalism<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>The Church tells us there is little difference between \u201ceven moderate forms of socialism\u201d and unbridled capitalism!<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does the Church Propose?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
“The church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim ‘to interfere in any way in the politics of states’. (Populorum Progressio, 13).” (Pope Benedict XVI, 9)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n