Catholic Social Teaching: Arriving At a 'Third Way'?
Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The aim of this Long Essay is to outline the two dominant, and opposed,
ideologies of the late nineteenth and twentieth Centuries and to discuss the view of
Catholic social teaching towards them.
With the collapse
of Communism, across Eastern Europe,
in 1989, it seemed
Capitalism had won the ideological struggle, but in its unchecked form it has been
criticised, especially by Pope John Paul II, for its failure to respect human dignity and
social justice. In the Western and Central Europe, Governments have spoken of a 'Third
Way', where Capitalism can flourish but where also people are protected by the State.
The Government should ensure fair wages and the provision of Social Services, should
not be totally left to the Markel. I wish to investigate, whether Catholic social teaching
has arrived at an agenda, for this 'Third Way'.
A number of documents will be discussed, which 1 feel give us a sense of the
historical development of social teaching from the Church, and give emphasise to the
issues of private property and workers rights, which are central to the ideological
debate. On the basis of my research, I wish to come to a conclusion to the question, of
whether we have arrived at a 'Third Way' between Communism and Capitalism
Description
Keywords
Catholic Church, Teaching, Opposing Ideologies, Communism