Can 'Government' Ever Be Good? A Catholic Considers the Proper Role of Government

By Deacon Keith Fournier
9/10/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Catholics should affirm that governing is meant to be something

Some on the political "right" espouse a version of libertarianism which is anti-government. This is at odds with the insights summarized in the Catechism. They paraphrase the American founders to imply that the existence of government itself is the problem. Some on the political "left" seem to want to federalize everything. They think that our obligation in solidarity means establishing more federal government programs. They are wrong.

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WASHINGTON,DC (Catholic Online) - We are finally done with the political conventions which precede the Fall Presidential campaign in the United States. The airwaves will soon be filled with even more charged political commercials. The Presidential and Vice Presidential debates will soon occur and, before we know it, we will be at the ballot box.

Anyone who reads me regularly, knows that I am convinced this election is one of the most important in my lifetime, given all that is at stake. However, I write to address an underlying issue which has not yet been properly addressed by either Major Political Party, the role of government in civil society.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes some observations concerning society: "All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the union of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love. Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God".

"The human person needs to live in society. Society is not for him an extraneous addition but a requirement of his nature. Through the exchange with others, mutual service and dialogue with his brethren, man develops his potential; he thus responds to his vocation."

"A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them. As an assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, a society endures through time: it gathers up the past and prepares for the future."

"By means of society, each man is established as an "heir" and receives certain "talents" that enrich his identity and whose fruits he must develop. He rightly owes loyalty to the communities of which he is part and respect to those in authority who have charge of the common good."

"Each community is defined by its purpose and consequently obeys specific rules; but "the human person . . . is and ought to be the principle, the subject and the end of all social institutions. 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."

"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. 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."

"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 government 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."

"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." (CCC, Article 1, #1878 - 1885)

There has been little discussion about the principle of subsidiarity in Catholic circles - and virtually none in the national political debate - before Congressman Paul Ryan, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, raised it in his intelligently written exchange of letters with Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Ryan is one of the few Catholic elected officials who actually uses the term to explain his own positions.

Though Catholics can can disagree with his application of the principle, at least he uses it. My experience has been that many Catholics do not even know that there is such a principle within the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Instead, they borrow rhetoric from the political left or the political right in discussing the role of government. They also fail to offer a ...

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1 - 10 of 17 Comments

Rob
8 months ago
I can always count on vance to bring us home. What always strikes me about this one party is the source of all our evils argument is that the majority of our problems are not one term issues. The bankrupting of our country has been years in the making mostly because we have politicians that can't do math. Personally I found elements of the patriot act just as an affront to my rights as I do the HHS mandate. But we can always count on folks to accept one because my side did it and scream at the other because my enemy did it.

Deacon, I think about the only definition of good government we are going to get from our current two party system is whatever the the backers of campaigns allow. GOP calls for small government and reduced spending, but not for defense and things of the right. The madness just continues. As far as I can tell, at least since Bush took office and continues to the present day, continued bankrupting of the country, warfare and status quo on all the social issues we hate.
vance
8 months ago
A government can be good only if it is the servant of the electorate. Our government is a bad government because it has bankrupted the nation, sent millions into poverty, and trampled on the Catholic Church. A good government is one that is held accountable for what it does. Sadly, millions of blind followers of the Party of Death and Deceit view there political leaders as their masters who are never to be questioned or challenged. As the politicians of the Party of Death consistently demonstrate their corruption, the blind followers have no soul to hold them accountable and vote them out. Instead, they make excuses for their corrupt leaders.
Peter Rich
8 months ago
It is not helpful to frame the philosophical differences of the left and right in absolutist terms; (ie., the right believes that government is evil). These characterizations are easily refuted in a "reductio ad absurdum" exercise.
Rather, the libertarian argument is that the government has a proper role (defense, the courts, enforcement of contracts and the like. It is only when the reach of government serves to coerce subservience to a set of principles (like charity, or unfettered abortion rights for that matter) that it falls to corruption. Seizing the property of others and using it to perpetuate power (buy votes) is not consistent with a Catholic agenda.
"Coerce" is the key word here. True charity is not corruptible as it comes voluntarily from the heart and seeks no advantage, recompense or obligation.
Catholic principles require that we not "outsource" important principles or resources to wasteful and corrupt third parties who are demonstrably hostile to those principles.
jaque
8 months ago
To Deacon Keith Fournier
"I would thank you for pointing it out much more sincerely - if I thought your correction was well intended. I am not sure. But, either way, thanks. "

My query was an honest one, I mean no ill will nor smart a$$ery.
I was absorbed in your article and did not catch the word as being misspelled.

Subsidiarity, the Responsibility of ALL persons to participate and not have some stand with palms open, understanding the importance of Capitol & Labor working together, Living Wages that allow the family to flourish are all important.

Unfortunately, we are called to change the nature of our collective culture, leaving individualism behind and sacrificing ourselves for the common good. It almost sounds like Eastern Asian cultures are more Christ like in their approach, or the Early Church and the Eastern Rite with their consensus and communal culture are more in line with Christ than the Roman Rite and Western culture.

Let us understand that we are called to Salvation and that Catholic Social Teaching is only a part of our road to Salvation and not the fulfillment of what is required to achieve Heaven.
Judy Claar
8 months ago
Deacon Keith: Superb Article! Kept the reader's interest all the way through...clarified (finally someone did it, I couldn't!) Catholic Social Doctrine. The difference between far right Libertarians, Conservatives, and Liberals,etc., in their thoughts toward Society and the Common Good of the People.
To me, whatever position one holds, Dem. or Rep. or etc., one can now truly question themselves; and their chosen candidate. And, compare them to this article. It is, for those with an open mind, Clarity on CSD, pure and simple=Truth. Thank you for another fine article.
Sunday Blessings..
Deacon Keith Fournier
8 months ago
To Jaque: Yes, it was an obvious typo. I meant rejected. I would thank you for pointing it out much more sincerely - if I thought your correction was well intended. I am not sure. But, either way, thanks. To underscore the point, once I went in and made the correction, I capitalized the proper word REJECTED. Collectivism of all types must be rejected.
jaque
8 months ago
"Yes, but the principle of subsidiarity must always be carefully applied and all forms of collectivism must be relected."

Please define / explain "relected" . Online dictionaries do not have this work or tell me it is misspelled. The Urban Dictionary says it's a contraction recall and recollect, as in "I can't relect what I had for dinner.".
Rob
8 months ago
I am no expert in Catholic social teachings, but it seems that the only principle we ever discuss is the principle of subsidiarity. And oftentimes it appears that this principle is used as cover simply to jusitify the pursuit of shrinking government. We cannot have a discussion about Catholic social teachings and the proper role of government unless we are willing to examine all the prinicples. I don't get the sense that the Church intended us to treat these principles as if we were cafeteria Catholics.
gghad
8 months ago
Historically, important people in the Catholic Church have believed in limiting the role of governments.

Jesus Christ provided for a 10% flat-tax when He set up the Nation of Israel. It's impossible to "grow" government when taxes are limited. NO one has a better idea than Jesus Christ.

ALL the Catholic Bishops through both historical-time & geography have always >legally avoided paying taxes to the governments.

Governments can become large-ravenous beasts that devour souls. = It's in the history books & the news today.
Ta-152-H
8 months ago
Rafaelmarie.Since your must be writing from the first century I would think that you would approve of and see the benefits of besides building roads the government should build aqueducts,sewers.arenas and maintaining the Legions along the Rhine and Danube too!

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