Those who argue that Pope Francis is advocating socialism focus on the economic section of his apostolic exhortation
Evangellii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), which in part states, “In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion…expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system.”
Taken at face value, one can see their cause for concern, but perhaps they are reacting to buzzwords like “trickle-down” and “free market” without considering the context referenced by Francis, in effect sacralizing the prevailing system. In the preceding passages he references that people are subject to increasing inequality, violence, and facing a life devoid of dignity. The Pontiff then states, “We are in an age of knowledge and information, which has led to new and often anonymous kinds of power.”
Many free market advocates, including TEA Movement supporters, are well aware of the world-wide manipulation of national currencies and stock markets by such personages as George Soros and Maurice Strong, as well as nameless others like them. People are coming to understand that true capitalism has been usurped and replaced with a fascistic crony capitalism whose participants wield “anonymous kinds of power.”
This theme is continued by Francis, “Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape.”
Crony capitalism and soft socialism has infected the developed West
As crony capitalism and soft socialism has infected the developed West, citizens are experiencing the marginalization of a once vibrant middle class that can no longer offer a ladder of success to those who work hard or the ability to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In the United States today college graduates, burdened with debt, cannot find work, their parents have been forced out of the labor force, and those still working face increasing tax burdens placed upon them by “anonymous kinds of power”: power, not wielded by elected representatives, but power by hidden others who control via bribery and blackmail.
Taking for example the USA under the reign of President Obama, “trickle down” could also describe the administration’s assertion that giving public tax dollars to large corporations, alternative energy companies, and other cronies would stimulate the economy as a whole. Experience has shown the deliberate mendacity of this public policy. Francis decries the modern obsession with money and the calm acceptance of its dominion over our societies. He declares, “The worldwide crisis affecting finance and the economy lays bare their imbalances and, above all, their lack of real concern for human beings; man is reduced to one of his needs alone: consumption.”
Globalized Financial Markets
The globalization of the financial markets has enabled a small number of persons to manipulate astronomical amounts of wealth under an ideology that elevates the autonomy of the marketplace and financial speculation to an absolute that overshadows the ability of governments, charged to be vigilant of the common good, to exercise any form of control. Francis rightly identifies this as “a new tyranny…invisible and often virtual, which unilaterally and relentlessly imposes its own laws and rules.” The accumulation of public debt and increasing interest make it difficult for countries to realize the potential of their own economies, and prevents citizens from enjoying their real purchasing power. Francis proclaims, “To all this we can add widespread corruption and self-serving tax evasion, which have taken on worldwide dimensions. The thirst for power and possessions knows no limits.”
The Pontiff identifies that, “Behind this attitude lurks a rejection of ethics and a rejection of God. Ethics has come to be viewed with a certain scornful derision. It is seen as counterproductive, too human, because it makes money and power relative.” Ethics in finance condemns the manipulation and debasement of the person, and “leads to a God who calls for a committed response which is outside the categories of the marketplace.” It is extremely dangerous for the powerful few to recognize that God calls human beings to realize the fullness of their personhood and to exercise freedom from all forms of enslavement. Francis proposes that, “Ethics — a non-ideological ethics — would make it possible to bring about balance and a more humane social order.”
Pope Francis remains consistent with the Catholic Church’s doctrine of subsidiarity that teaches societal organizations and governments closest to the people should not have its duties and responsibilities co-opted by a higher order. Subsidiarity warns that excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. Francis reminds us that every Christian and every community is called to liberate the poor and enable them to become full participants in society. He quotes the apostle James, “The wages of the laborer who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” One can certainly make the case that burdensome and confiscatory taxes imposed upon the people are “wages kept back by fraud.” Francis also states, “The private ownership of goods is justified by the need to protect and increase them, so that they can better serve the common good.”
The Dignity of Personhood
The dignity of work, whether humble or exalted, supports and engenders the dignity of the person. Francis also reminds us that, “Business is a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life; this will enable them truly to serve the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and to make them more accessible to all.” Many in the business community have realized this ideal as exemplified by Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby, who conduct their enterprises based upon Biblical principles that support and empower not only their employees, but their communities as well.
Since the 19th century the Catholic Church has condemned socialism beginning with Pope Leo XIII, and throughout the 20th century with Pope John Paul II, who in concert with President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was able to free Eastern Europe from tyranny and led to the dissolution of the USSR. Socialism denies that man needs God to fully realize his humanity, and replaces it was the false promise of a utopia on earth that cannot ever be realized.
In
Evangellii Gaudium Pope Francis is calling for the world to resolve the structural causes of poverty that are weakening the good order of society. He observes, “Welfare projects, which meet certain urgent needs, should be considered merely temporary responses.” He rightly identifies that long-term dependence upon the government to meet basic needs robs the poor of their right to self-determination and states clearly, “The dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies.” He is urging us out of our complacency and to embrace the radical teachings of Christ in the Gospel. All life is precious and equal in the sight of God.
Is Pope Francis a socialist? No. He is a Christian.
