Economic policies of a Catholic political Party

[ribozyme]

Someone posted this in another thread:

Don’t belong to any party. Why do you have to be in a party, or join the Right to Life Party. Maybe we should have a Real Catholic Party. If we had more Bishops with backbone the 25% Catholic voting block really would be a voting block

Of course, a Catholic party would generally be socially conservative (generally pro-family, pro-marriage, and pro-life). I do not know whether it would be pro or anti immigration from Latin American countries and Mexico. (One can argue that this is also an economic issue since more immigrant workers in the labor pool will drive down wages.)

So what economic policies would a Catholic party use in its platform? Will they use the rhetoric of Milton Friedman, Fredrick von Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises while formulating their economic policies (i.e. people who are pro free market, free trade, in other words neo-liberals), or will they base it on people such as John Rawls and Amartya Sen (people who are concerned about the welfare of the poorest in society)?

And if I remember correctly, Sen and Rawls are not socialists.

 

[Verisimilitude]

In America I would suggets it repeal the 16th Amendment as a means of collelcting taxes from individual income as a means to redistribute wealth. By forming a Catholic conscience of its members with respect to helping others, it would be based on the willing contribution and conscience choice to donate any wealth an individual may have in excess to a cause supported by the platform for the local community the people reside in.

With respect to immigration I think the Catholic Party would be against illegal entry into America and should honor the existing laws that require citizenship to receive benefits and services paid for by American citizens in the form of taxes and/or charity.

 

[ribozyme]

In America I would suggets it repeal the 16th Amendment as a means of collelcting taxes from individual income as a means to redistribute wealth. By forming a Catholic conscience of its members with respect to helping others, it would be based on the willing contribution and conscience choice to donate any wealth an individual may have in excess to a cause supported by the platform for the local community the people reside in.

With respect to immigration I think the Catholic Party would be against illegal entry into America and should honor the existing laws that require citizenship to receive benefits and services paid for by American citizens in the form of taxes and/or charity.

Why do you strongly support local giving? If YOU really want to give to charity, give to an international cause - people who do not have a welfare state to rely on. I really do not care if charity will be crowded out by government in OECD countries because of a large welfare state. Charity has other niches it could serve.

 

[Verisimilitude]

Why do you strongly support local giving? If YOU really want to give to charity, give to an international cause - people who do not have a welfare state to rely on. I really do not care if charity will be crowded out by government in OECD countries because of a large welfare state. Charity has other niches it could serve.

If my neighbor in my town is in need, why help the stranger around the world before him? if I have enough to spare and my neighbors are taken care of then I can help internationally if I feel it is in my interest. Why should you or some government entity tell me who I should help around the world that may in fact be my enemy?

 

[Strawberriness]

A proper catholic conscience would be able to help those in need you felt approiate. I don’t feel a government deciding to aid whomever they chose is what I would want.

Ribozyme, telling someone where to charity is opposite of forming a catholic conscience and allowing others to give where they feel fit.

Additonally I think the party would have a tough one on illegal immigration. Prehaps they would be againist illegal immigration however be working to reduce the restrictions.

 

[FrancisMonica]

I would think the Catholic Party would try to adhere to the teachings of the Church

For instance:

1882 Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond more directly to the nature of man; they are necessary to him. To promote the participation of the greatest number in the life of a society, the creation of voluntary associations and institutions must be encouraged “on both national and international levels, which relate to economic and social goals, to cultural and recreational activities, to sport, to various professions, and to political affairs.” 5 This “socialization” also expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual capacities. It develops the qualities of the person, especially the sense of initiative and responsibility, and helps guarantee his rights.

1883 Socialization also presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co- ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good.”

1884 God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts to every creature the functions it is capable of performing, according to the capacities of its own nature. This mode of governance ought to be followed in social life. The way God acts in governing the world, which bears witness to such great regard for human freedom, should inspire the wisdom of those who govern human communities. They should behave as ministers of divine providence.

1885 The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies. It tends toward the establishment of true international order.

 

[rlg94086]

Someone posted this in another thread:

Of course, a Catholic party would generally be socially conservative (generally pro-family, pro-marriage, and pro-life). I do not know whether it would be pro or anti immigration from Latin American countries and Mexico. (One can argue that this is also an economic issue since more immigrant workers in the labor pool will drive down wages.)

So what economic policies would a Catholic party use in its platform? Will they use the rhetoric of Milton Friedman, Fredrick von Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises while formulating their economic policies (i.e. people who are pro free market, free trade, in other words neo-liberals), or will they base it on people such as John Rawls and Amartya Sen (people who are concerned about the welfare of the poorest in society)?

And if I remember correctly, Sen and Rawls are not socialists.

Hi Ribozyme,

Your question illustrates the very reason why there would not be a cohesive “Catholic Party.” Even if all Catholics decided to agree, for example, on an end to capital punishment (one of many things Catholics in good conscience can disagree on), there are a host of issues that don’t have a single, Catholic stance. Economic policy is one of them. There is not a fixed Catholic economic policy.

 

[JaMc]

Well, if there was a Catholic party, the starting point for its economic policy would be here: vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum_en.html. Europe and Latin America have had Catholic parties for decades - they are called “Christian Democratic” parties. However, some have drifted to the right in economic policy (CDU in Germany), while others have drifted to the left (Latin America), and few IMO still reflect the goals set forth in Pope Leo’s encyclical.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Why do you strongly support local giving? If YOU really want to give to charity, give to an international cause - people who do not have a welfare state to rely on. I really do not care if charity will be crowded out by government in OECD countries because of a large welfare state. Charity has other niches it could serve.

Good however “welfare state to rely on” is easily misinterpreted. Actually your foreign aid benefits the economy much more than your local aid. That is fundamental economic (minus friction) known as rational or logical thinking. However local aid may change local security situations. Currently the TV programs are designed to redefine “liberal” and “conservative” I encourage you to use caution concerning accepting their opinions. Concerning the Church teachings they are rather clear “Treat your neighbor as yourself”.