Ethics of private property?

[Writer_for_God]

Hi,
I am not sure if this would fit better under social justice or moral theology. I am struggling with the issue of private property, or the ethics of property, etc. I am looking into distributism, but am having a hard time figuring out what is right. I have studied a lot of Church social teaching. I also have looked a lot into the Austrian school of economics and libertarianism, which believe the state is pretty much evil and should be abolished, but I think a lot of that is totally against Catholic teaching and the teaching of Jesus. I don’t really know where to get the best analysis of the ethics of the state, of private property, etc. I recently read a really good book called “Redeeming Economics” by John D. Mueller, which I recommend.

I find that a lot of commentators on the subject really do not know the history or the development of economic thought. As demonstrated in Mueller’s book, most of economics has been degenerated, because since Adam Smith, the economic and political ideas of Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas (the AAA of economics in Mueller’s book) have been expunged from the discussion and are only lately being “rediscovered”.

Could anyone please make recommendations of books on the ethics of private property, on the role of the state, etc. I am already aware of most libertarian writings on the subject, but I believe they lead to a dead end. While I don’t want to swing the other extreme of total government, such as fascism, socialism, communism, welfare statism, I do want to figure out what sort of economic philosophies have a sensible Catholic view of what the institution of the State can legitimately do to promote and protect freedom, legitimate property rights, well being and common good, and prosperity. I believe there are certain aspects of capitalist economics that help all people, especially the poor, but I really need to know what the State can do legitimately. One thing I have benefited from reading libertarian and Austrian authors is they do point out where the State has made promises and failed. Only thing is their solution is to just eliminate the State altogether, and I have the sense that this is a dead end.

I hope this might initiate a good discussion and recommendations for good reading on the subject. If you know any good books on distributism, either pro or cons, especially from Chesterton and others, please post them.

Don’t forget to pray for understanding and wisdom too!
God bless you all. Amen.

 

[midori]

Have you already read “The Servile State” by Belloc (1912)? That was my introduction to distributism.

There’s Rerum Novarum in 1891, of course, (aka Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor) by Pope Leo XIII. You’ve got Chesterton’s What’s Wrong With the World (1910), Utopia of Userers (and Other Essays) (1917), and Outline of Sanity (1926).

Those would be the first five books that come to mind. I’m still working my way through them myself.

 

[PJH_74]

I’ll bite. I think I agree with your conclusions Communism seeks to emulate Distributism but with a centralized state which leaves the door open to abuse by authoritarian governments. Fascism is essentially an extreme of Capitalism which relies on authoritarian to function. Libertarianism is quite the opposite end of Capitalism from Fascism in which there is virtually no state to hinder Capitalism.

What system would I like to live in? Distributism for sure, but that means getting over tribalism that takes so many forms within human society, I’m doubtful this could happen. In the end I think that moderated Capitalism grounded in roots of social justice may be the best practical solution. Capitalism harnesses and controls people’s basic greed for the better. Social justice recognizes that wealth buys influence and too much relative wealth destabilizes society. So, those who have been blessed the most by situation and valuation of their labor need to contribute more. It must be noted that there are highly talented people out there who do unbelievable and critical work for which society is not willing to compensate the same for. So this blows a hole in the concept that, if I work hard, I intrinsically deserve more.

 

[BoyGenius]

Well, first, right from God’s own original Justice handbook: Thou shall not covet…
Okay, wives, shall not be coveted…Livestock shall not be coveted…
Another form of coveting is taking someone’s life away, that is God’s to take. Thus it’s stealing. hence why, Thou shall not kill.

Then Christ said, "Thou shall love thy God with all your mind, heart, and will. And love thy Neighbor as you love thyself.

The Ten Commandments is to Love the God Almighty, and your neighbor.
God said not to do as the people of Egypt treated His people
Jesus said do not let it be among you as those who hold it over each other

See the connection?

So with Private Property, it’s ultimately God’s property. He owns the entire intellectual rights to everything we have. God gave each of us an ability and talent. Thus, what we earn and work for is our property. And so thus does God charge us to be respectful of the Commandments. Of His Word.

With that, Cheterton’s presentation of Distributism is for the defense of private property. especially of the poor. it is for the greater domain of people to own their own property, and guide their own lives. To live well with what they have. And not to be be hindered of them. That the Ten Commandments are respected for everyone. And that includes God’s right over the domain of ownership of everything we have, as the tale of the lazy servant entails.

He loans us as stewards of what He as given us for our sanctification. And when Jesus says what you have done to the least, you have done onto me. And that is Chesterton’s defense of Distributism. To defend the right’'s of every person to property. And ensure the person is respected to the stewardship/ownership God has given Him. Including over that man’s life. And why Chesterton wrote extensively on the Dignity and Sacredness of human life.

 

[Genesis315]

Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno are the best places to start.

See also this section of the Catechism for a summary.

Basically, the fruits of the whole earth are destined for the sustenance of all men. Private property guarantees the freedom of the human person and allows him to fulfill his duties in a manner consonant with his dignity. But this does not take away the basic principle that the whole earth is for all, and so being an owner of private property entails the duty not just to benefit oneself, but to also benefit others.