What is Socialism?

by CAPP-USA

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.

What is Classic Socialism?

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.

Under this philosophy, the state owns and regulates the means of production. People then share equally in the outputs of the system. The goal is to make things more equitable.

While this was alluring, and seemed to make sense, those who lived through socialist regimes tell a different story.

Even preceding the harrowing experiences in places like Cuba, the USSR, and China, Catholic social teaching rejected socialism on principle.

Socialism and Catholic Social Teaching

What does Catholic social teaching say about socialism? Let us allow the Holy Fathers to give the answer.

Beginning with Pope Leo XIII in 1891: Socialism is “emphatically unjust” for it “would rob the lawful possessor, distort the functions of the State, and create utter confusion in the community.” (Rerum Novarum, 4)

“By defining the nature of the socialism of his day as the suppression of private property, Leo XIII arrived at the crux of the problem.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 12)

“This 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”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 30)

A key principle of Catholic social teaching – subsidiarity (“That most weighty principle” Quadragesimo Anno, 79) – 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.”

Socialism will never work because “It is not possible to understand man on the basis of economics alone”. (Centesimus Annus, 24)

Read more about the Church’s consistent opposition here

Even moderate socialism “is based…on a theory of human society… irreconcilable with true Christianity.” (Pope Pius XI, 120) 

Socialism vs Communism

The gulf between socialism and communism is not wide. Indeed, these terms are often used interchangeably.

However, we refer to socialism as a transition between capitalism and communism since it, particularly in “modern” forms as explained below, is a step toward communism, but is different in significant ways.

“Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership. 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)

Communism seeks to “eliminate the classes themselves“. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)

It should also be stated that religion is abolished under communist rule, whereas the freedom of at least worship may be permitted under socialism.

Also, socialism rewards work according to contribution (i.e., an individual could earn more than another – a near impossibility in communism) while communism “rewards” only in line with needs.

Additionally, socialist governments may control aspects of production but still allow private property.

What is “Modern” Socialism?

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.

Democratic socialism, a more fluid concept, essentially advocates for:

• Government provision of a range of basic services, such as health care and higher education – for free or at a significant discount, and/or;
• Government control of vast sectors of the economy – to ameliorate perceived “ills” (climate change, income inequality, etc.)

Remember how we said the aim of socialism was to make things more equitable?

Well, Pope Pius XI recognized that this more moderate form of “socialism 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.” (Quadragesimo Anno, 113)

However, even these moderate forms of socialism are “irreconcilable with true Christianity.” (Pope Pius XI, 120)

Why Can’t Socialism and Christianity Mix?

Socialism, even moderate forms like democratic socialism, essentially reduces mankind into economic elements. The Catholic Church rejects that human beings can be so understood.

Why? Socialism and democratic socialism lose sight of the important, basic understanding of “what is man?” Socialism lacks a correct human anthropology – one which appreciates man in the fullness of his social and shared humanity.

By seeing man only in his material element socialism and democratic socialism fail in appreciating man’s true grandeur.

“Socialism…wholly ignoring and indifferent to [the] sublime end of both man and society, affirms that human association has been instituted for the sake of material advantage alone.” (Pope Pius XI, 118)

Pope Pius XI “made it clear that no Catholic could subscribe even to moderate Socialism”. (Pope St. John XXIII, 34)

So, What is the Basis of a Catholic Economic System?

We should always remember, “The creation of…wealth must always be at the service of the common good, and not only for the benefit of a few.” (Pope Francis, 3)

Click the links below to learn how Catholic social teaching guides economics.