<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
Socialism is often in the news; with debates routinely appearing on cable news and social media. And while some leaders are concerned about it others make the case for it.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Classic Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Classic socialism, popularized by Karl Marx in the 19th century, arose in response to disparity in wealth and the abuses of capitalism. It is positioned as the transition between capitalism and communism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUnder this philosophy, the state owns and regulates the means of production<\/strong>. People then share equally in the outputs of the system. The goal is to make things more equitable.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile this was alluring, and seemed to make sense, those who lived through socialist regimes tell a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/SOCIALISMMONUMENT.png\")
<\/p>\n
What is socialism?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Even preceding the harrowing experiences in places like Cuba, the USSR, and China, Catholic social teaching rejected socialism on principle<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\nSocialism and Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What does Catholic social teaching say about socialism? Let us allow the Holy Fathers to give the answer.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBeginning with Pope Leo XIII in 1891: Socialism <\/strong>is \u201cemphatically unjust\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0for it \u201cwould rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 4)<\/a><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cBy defining the nature of the socialism of his day as the suppression of private property, Leo XIII arrived at the crux of the problem.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThis right, [to private property] which is fundamental for the autonomy and development of the person, has always been defended by the Church up to our own day\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 30)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nA key principle of Catholic social teaching \u2013 subsidiarity (“That most weighty principle” Quadragesimo Anno, 79<\/a>) \u2013 states how “Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do.”<\/span><\/p>\nSocialism will never work because \u201cIt is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nRead more about the Church’s consistent opposition here<\/a><\/p>\n\nEven moderate socialism \u201cis based\u2026on a theory of human society\u2026 irreconcilable\u00a0with true Christianity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSocialism vs Communism<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The gulf between socialism and communism is not wide. Indeed, these terms are often used interchangeably.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, we refer to socialism as a transition<\/em> between capitalism and communism since it, particularly in “modern” forms as explained below, is a step toward communism, but is different in significant ways.<\/span><\/p>\n“Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership<\/strong>. Not secretly or by hidden methods does it do this, but publicly, openly, and by employing every and all means, even the most violent.” (Pope Pius XI, 112)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCommunism seeks to “eliminate the classes themselves”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIt should also be stated that religion is abolished under communist rule, whereas the freedom of at least worship may be permitted under socialism. <\/span><\/p>\nAlso, socialism rewards work according to contribution (i.e., an individual could earn more than another – a near impossibility in communism) while communism \u201crewards\u201d only in line with needs.<\/span><\/p>\nAdditionally, socialist governments may control aspects of production but still allow private property.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is “Modern” Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Over the last century, newer forms of socialism have emerged with different labels such as Christian Socialism, Social Democracy and, in the United States, Democratic Socialism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDemocratic socialism, a more fluid concept, essentially advocates for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Government provision of a range of basic services<\/strong>, such as health care and higher education – for free or at a significant discount, and\/or;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Government control of vast sectors of the economy<\/strong> \u2013 to ameliorate perceived \u201cills\u201d (climate change, income inequality, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Remember how we said the aim of socialism was to make things more equitable?<\/span><\/p>\nWell, Pope Pius XI recognized that this more moderate form of \u201csocialism inclines toward and in a certain measure approaches the truths which Christian tradition has always held sacred; for it cannot be denied that its demands at times come very near those that Christian reformers of society justly insist upon.\u201d (Quadragesimo Anno, 113)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, even these moderate forms of socialism are “irreconcilable with true Christianity<\/strong>.” (Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy Can’t Socialism and Christianity Mix?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Socialism, even moderate forms like democratic socialism, essentially reduces mankind into economic elements. <\/span>The Catholic Church rejects that human beings can be so understood.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Socialism and democratic socialism lose sight of the important, basic understanding of \u201cwhat is man?\u201d Socialism lacks a correct human anthropology \u2013 one which appreciates man in the fullness of his social and shared humanity. <\/span><\/p>\nBy seeing man only in his material element socialism and democratic socialism fail in appreciating man\u2019s true grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n“Socialism\u2026wholly ignoring and indifferent to [the] sublime end of both man and society, affirms\u00a0that human association has been instituted for the sake of\u00a0material advantage alone.” (Pope Pius XI, 118)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Pius XI \u201cmade it clear that\u00a0no Catholic could subscribe<\/strong>\u00a0even to moderate Socialism<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, What is the Basis of a Catholic Economic System?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
We should always remember, \u201cThe creation of…wealth<\/strong> must always be at th<\/strong>e\u00a0service of the common good<\/strong>, and\u00a0not\u00a0only for the benefit of a\u00a0few.\u201d (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nClick the links below to learn how Catholic social teaching guides economics.<\/span><\/p>\nMarxism vs. CST: Where They Overlap<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Democratic Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCapitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWas Jesus a Socialist?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocialist Countries and Welfare States<\/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=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/economics\/” button_text=”The Free Market” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”4.24.3″ _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=”{}”]
What is Classic Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Classic socialism, popularized by Karl Marx in the 19th century, arose in response to disparity in wealth and the abuses of capitalism. It is positioned as the transition between capitalism and communism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nUnder this philosophy, the state owns and regulates the means of production<\/strong>. People then share equally in the outputs of the system. The goal is to make things more equitable.<\/span><\/p>\nWhile this was alluring, and seemed to make sense, those who lived through socialist regimes tell a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
What is socialism?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Even preceding the harrowing experiences in places like Cuba, the USSR, and China, Catholic social teaching rejected socialism on principle<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\nSocialism and Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What does Catholic social teaching say about socialism? Let us allow the Holy Fathers to give the answer.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nBeginning with Pope Leo XIII in 1891: Socialism <\/strong>is \u201cemphatically unjust\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0for it \u201cwould rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 4)<\/a><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cBy defining the nature of the socialism of his day as the suppression of private property, Leo XIII arrived at the crux of the problem.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThis right, [to private property] which is fundamental for the autonomy and development of the person, has always been defended by the Church up to our own day\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 30)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nA key principle of Catholic social teaching \u2013 subsidiarity (“That most weighty principle” Quadragesimo Anno, 79<\/a>) \u2013 states how “Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do.”<\/span><\/p>\nSocialism will never work because \u201cIt is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nRead more about the Church’s consistent opposition here<\/a><\/p>\n\nEven moderate socialism \u201cis based\u2026on a theory of human society\u2026 irreconcilable\u00a0with true Christianity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSocialism vs Communism<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The gulf between socialism and communism is not wide. Indeed, these terms are often used interchangeably.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, we refer to socialism as a transition<\/em> between capitalism and communism since it, particularly in “modern” forms as explained below, is a step toward communism, but is different in significant ways.<\/span><\/p>\n“Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership<\/strong>. Not secretly or by hidden methods does it do this, but publicly, openly, and by employing every and all means, even the most violent.” (Pope Pius XI, 112)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCommunism seeks to “eliminate the classes themselves”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIt should also be stated that religion is abolished under communist rule, whereas the freedom of at least worship may be permitted under socialism. <\/span><\/p>\nAlso, socialism rewards work according to contribution (i.e., an individual could earn more than another – a near impossibility in communism) while communism \u201crewards\u201d only in line with needs.<\/span><\/p>\nAdditionally, socialist governments may control aspects of production but still allow private property.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is “Modern” Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Over the last century, newer forms of socialism have emerged with different labels such as Christian Socialism, Social Democracy and, in the United States, Democratic Socialism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDemocratic socialism, a more fluid concept, essentially advocates for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Government provision of a range of basic services<\/strong>, such as health care and higher education – for free or at a significant discount, and\/or;<\/span><\/li>\n
- Government control of vast sectors of the economy<\/strong> \u2013 to ameliorate perceived \u201cills\u201d (climate change, income inequality, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Remember how we said the aim of socialism was to make things more equitable?<\/span><\/p>\nWell, Pope Pius XI recognized that this more moderate form of \u201csocialism inclines toward and in a certain measure approaches the truths which Christian tradition has always held sacred; for it cannot be denied that its demands at times come very near those that Christian reformers of society justly insist upon.\u201d (Quadragesimo Anno, 113)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever, even these moderate forms of socialism are “irreconcilable with true Christianity<\/strong>.” (Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhy Can’t Socialism and Christianity Mix?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Socialism, even moderate forms like democratic socialism, essentially reduces mankind into economic elements. <\/span>The Catholic Church rejects that human beings can be so understood.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy? Socialism and democratic socialism lose sight of the important, basic understanding of \u201cwhat is man?\u201d Socialism lacks a correct human anthropology \u2013 one which appreciates man in the fullness of his social and shared humanity. <\/span><\/p>\nBy seeing man only in his material element socialism and democratic socialism fail in appreciating man\u2019s true grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n“Socialism\u2026wholly ignoring and indifferent to [the] sublime end of both man and society, affirms\u00a0that human association has been instituted for the sake of\u00a0material advantage alone.” (Pope Pius XI, 118)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nPope Pius XI \u201cmade it clear that\u00a0no Catholic could subscribe<\/strong>\u00a0even to moderate Socialism<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSo, What is the Basis of a Catholic Economic System?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
We should always remember, \u201cThe creation of…wealth<\/strong> must always be at th<\/strong>e\u00a0service of the common good<\/strong>, and\u00a0not\u00a0only for the benefit of a\u00a0few.\u201d (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nClick the links below to learn how Catholic social teaching guides economics.<\/span><\/p>\nMarxism vs. CST: Where They Overlap<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Democratic Socialism?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCapitalism vs. Socialism<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWas Jesus a Socialist?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nSocialist Countries and Welfare States<\/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=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/economics\/” button_text=”The Free Market” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”4.24.3″ _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=”{}”]
Classic socialism, popularized by Karl Marx in the 19th century, arose in response to disparity in wealth and the abuses of capitalism. It is positioned as the transition between capitalism and communism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Under this philosophy, the state owns and regulates the means of production<\/strong>. People then share equally in the outputs of the system. The goal is to make things more equitable.<\/span><\/p>\n While this was alluring, and seemed to make sense, those who lived through socialist regimes tell a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n What is socialism?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Even preceding the harrowing experiences in places like Cuba, the USSR, and China, Catholic social teaching rejected socialism on principle<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Beginning with Pope Leo XIII in 1891: Socialism <\/strong>is \u201cemphatically unjust\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0for it \u201cwould rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 4)<\/a><\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy defining the nature of the socialism of his day as the suppression of private property, Leo XIII arrived at the crux of the problem.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis right, [to private property] which is fundamental for the autonomy and development of the person, has always been defended by the Church up to our own day\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 30)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n A key principle of Catholic social teaching \u2013 subsidiarity (“That most weighty principle” Quadragesimo Anno, 79<\/a>) \u2013 states how “Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order to assign to a greater and higher association what lesser and subordinate organizations can do.”<\/span><\/p>\n Socialism will never work because \u201cIt is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone\u201d. (Centesimus Annus, 24)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Read more about the Church’s consistent opposition here<\/a><\/p>\n Even moderate socialism \u201cis based\u2026on a theory of human society\u2026 irreconcilable\u00a0with true Christianity.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n However, we refer to socialism as a transition<\/em> between capitalism and communism since it, particularly in “modern” forms as explained below, is a step toward communism, but is different in significant ways.<\/span><\/p>\n “Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership<\/strong>. Not secretly or by hidden methods does it do this, but publicly, openly, and by employing every and all means, even the most violent.” (Pope Pius XI, 112)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Communism seeks to “eliminate the classes themselves”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n It should also be stated that religion is abolished under communist rule, whereas the freedom of at least worship may be permitted under socialism. <\/span><\/p>\n Also, socialism rewards work according to contribution (i.e., an individual could earn more than another – a near impossibility in communism) while communism \u201crewards\u201d only in line with needs.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, socialist governments may control aspects of production but still allow private property.<\/span><\/p>\n Democratic socialism, a more fluid concept, essentially advocates for:<\/span><\/p>\n Remember how we said the aim of socialism was to make things more equitable?<\/span><\/p>\n Well, Pope Pius XI recognized that this more moderate form of \u201csocialism inclines toward and in a certain measure approaches the truths which Christian tradition has always held sacred; for it cannot be denied that its demands at times come very near those that Christian reformers of society justly insist upon.\u201d (Quadragesimo Anno, 113)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n However, even these moderate forms of socialism are “irreconcilable with true Christianity<\/strong>.” (Pope Pius XI, 120)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Why? Socialism and democratic socialism lose sight of the important, basic understanding of \u201cwhat is man?\u201d Socialism lacks a correct human anthropology \u2013 one which appreciates man in the fullness of his social and shared humanity. <\/span><\/p>\n By seeing man only in his material element socialism and democratic socialism fail in appreciating man\u2019s true grandeur.<\/span><\/p>\n “Socialism\u2026wholly ignoring and indifferent to [the] sublime end of both man and society, affirms\u00a0that human association has been instituted for the sake of\u00a0material advantage alone.” (Pope Pius XI, 118)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Pius XI \u201cmade it clear that\u00a0no Catholic could subscribe<\/strong>\u00a0even to moderate Socialism<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John XXIII, 34)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Click the links below to learn how Catholic social teaching guides economics.<\/span><\/p>\n Marxism vs. CST: Where They Overlap<\/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 Socialist Countries and Welfare States<\/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=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/dignity-of-work\/” button_text=”The Dignity of Work” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”\/economics\/” button_text=”The Free Market” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ 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=”4.24.3″ _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=”{}”]<\/p>\nSocialism and Catholic Social Teaching<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
What does Catholic social teaching say about socialism? Let us allow the Holy Fathers to give the answer.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Socialism vs Communism<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
The gulf between socialism and communism is not wide. Indeed, these terms are often used interchangeably.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is “Modern” Socialism?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Over the last century, newer forms of socialism have emerged with different labels such as Christian Socialism, Social Democracy and, in the United States, Democratic Socialism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
Why Can’t Socialism and Christianity Mix?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Socialism, even moderate forms like democratic socialism, essentially reduces mankind into economic elements. <\/span>The Catholic Church rejects that human beings can be so understood.<\/span><\/p>\nSo, What is the Basis of a Catholic Economic System?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
We should always remember, \u201cThe creation of…wealth<\/strong> must always be at th<\/strong>e\u00a0service of the common good<\/strong>, and\u00a0not\u00a0only for the benefit of a\u00a0few.\u201d (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSign Up For Our Newsletter:<\/h4>\n