Laudato si’ Invites You: An Economy Beyond Capitalism

Last updated on: January 5, 2016 at 8:39 pm by Keith Michael Estrada

Laudato si’ Invites You: An Economy Beyond Capitalism 2016-01-05T20:39:06-07:00 Keith Michael Estrada

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

One need not look beyond the advocates of the capitalist system to see its inconsistency with Christianity. For example, F. A. Hayek’s The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism, and Ludwig von Mises’ The Anti-capitalistic Mentality do a fine job of demonstrating the position that the values of solidarity, simplicity, modesty, restraint, fair prices and just wages, mutual aid, and moderation are destructive when it comes to supporting a capitalist way of life. Instead, their level of support for competition, individualism, self-interest, materialism, relativism, autonomy of the market, etc., along with their poorly masked embrace of social Darwinism which converts into a passive economic genocide of the poor, contradicts the Christian faith, in general, and Laudato si’ (79 and 210), in particular.

One can stumble upon other treatments on the inconsistency between capitalist values and those of Christianity. Catholic values are irreconcilable with- and their disappearance is connected to-the values sustaining and sustained by capitalism, according to the non-Catholic authors Max Weber and Peter Singer. It’s awfully consistent, then, for Francis, along with his predecessors, to suggest moving beyond the prevailing economic order – or, to be precise, capitalism.

This movement beyond the capitalist system is suggested time and time again in Laudato, as Francis insists that we develop new models of production, distribution, and consumption, along with re-examining our understanding of progress and advancement, and embracing new lifestyles. Indeed, he affirms a more ascetic way of living, an agrarian life style, a culture of solidarity and participation, respect for the earth, and putting people before profit – in fact, the only mention of capital is a negative one.

We do see other challenges posed by capitalism, especially here in the United States and in countries/markets directly connected to us. Concerning a lack of response to environmental destruction, Francis sees that “It is remarkable how weak international political responses have been. The failure of global summits on the environment make it plain that our politics are subject to technology and finance. There are too many special interests, and economic interests easily end up trumping the common good and manipulating information so that their own plans will not be affected” (54). The wealthy and the political powers are too interwoven – mutual service to respective interests is evident. A failure of democracy is connected to a massive accumulation of and desire for wealth, resulting in taking away the voice of the poor and the earth. This should not be surprising in our experience, as Joseph E. Stiglitz makes a similar argument in The Price of Inequality: How Today’s Divided Society Endangers our Future (2012).

Is socialism the answer? The lack of nuance in Cardinal Dolan’s WSJ piece would lead us to believe that socialism is not the answer. Robert Sirico, Samuel Gregg, Michael Novak, and Jay Richards would rather perform an intellectual circus to defend some form of capitalism before positing that socialism has a place within the Church’s teaching. But, interestingly enough, the compatibility of a socialism with the teaching of the church is not far fetched.

Go back Continue Reading

Capitalism

Catholic Social Teaching

Keith Michael Estrada

Previous Post

December 1, 2015

Share This with Your Capitalist Friends: A Draft Timeline of Catholics Unsatisfied with Capitalism

Next Post

December 3, 2015 Capitalists Should Be Nervous: A Response to Fr. Robert Barron on Laudato Si’

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Benedict XVI Canada Capital Punishment Capitalism Care for Creation Catholic Committee of Appalachia Catholic News Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Tradition - Art Catholic Worker Catholic Worker Inspirations CST in 140 Characters or Less Diocese of San Diego Faithful Citizenship Father Frank Pavone Chronicles Fathers, Mothers, Saints, and Doctors Francis Guest Posts Gun Violence Humor, Parody, and/or Satire Interfaith Dialogue John Eudes John Paul II Marriage and Family Migration New Evangelization News Not a formal post. Our Lady of Guadalupe Paul VI Popes Pro-Life Racial Justice Releases Religious Freedom Repeat/Repost Saints Socialism Thomas Aquinas Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2020 July 2019 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 December 2017 October 2017 September 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Ezra read the Book of the Law to the people from morning until noon.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE