Thursday, 03 July 2008
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De Politics
In Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII claims that, sans the Church, a society will surely degenerate. The Church must be respected in all aspects of life -- from economic, societal, political, etc. This is because the truth of Jesus Christ, of the Gospel, of the Incarnation, is vital to the growth of virtue in the individual, the family, and the state or society. With this, I have no contention.
Over the past 9 months or so, I've been mulling over the meaning of politics, and without dealing too heavily in theories and cases, I've mused upon the notion of some form of anarchism. Now, Ellul rightly points out that anarchism is an unreachable ideal, however desirable -- what man would not want to be free from coercion? And yet, what society can exist without some sense of order? some recourse to law? I cannot, in bonum rationem, assent that there is not a natural essence to order and law, grounded deeply in the nature of man. Thus, I cannot assent to outright anarchism, or to the notion that each man ought to do as he sees fit in every respect, regardless of the commonweal and without invincible impunity.
Still, I sense a distinct problem with modern politics, which perhaps further study will ameliorate (as my understanding expands). I do not, at this time, find that the State is evil de facto, because as the Greeks said -- it is natural for a man to seek order, and thus society, and therefore -- Statehood. In this respect, I entirely concur with the most recent chain of Pontiffs. However, Leo XIII was emphatic on the point that the Church is part of any solution, as virtue is necessary, and Christ necessary for true virtue, id est love. It is the Church's supreme charge to bring men to Christ, and for this subsequent transformation to radically alter the ways in which society functions.
The modern political sphere, via the State, has assumed a far greater role in society than it ought. And what's worse, each party seeks to alleviate social ills by means of their own prescription, and not the will of the Almighty. Do I propose theocracy? No. It is my conviction which I glean from Peter's Seat that any social solution which does not conform to the wisdom of God is not a true solution, but a bandage which will, before long, come undone. Still, it is not the place of the Church to rule in a temporal sense -- they must work in conjunction with the State, but not be the State themselves. In this way, the Church works in union with the State to promote the common good of its citizens by promoting their virtue. The Church must have a disinterested relationship with the State in which they unflinchingly denounce whatever evil is found, i.e. imperialism, exploitation, immorality, hatred, et cetera.
Before any criticism comes across the tepid shores of the internet, I should also add that these thoughts are not concrete, not solidified -- I am working through what has undoubtedly been worked through by countless others and in much better detail and understanding. I am especially eager to read "After Virtue," as I too desire another Benedict; another man who, through Christ, deflates the bloated Empire in which we find ourselves. Not in a purely anarchistic and maliciously rebellious sense, but out of love for the people within the State and desire to see them grow in virtue. It is in this way that I oppose the State -- not because I think it is, per se, wicked. I simply think it needs to be changes -- it needs to more readily facilitate the good by becoming personal and honest. Will this ever occur? Will those in power ever relinquish their demagoguery? Probably not. This is probably why I tend to side with Brian in being more apolitical than anarchistic. Nevertheless, as he rightly pointed out to me, that I must ascend from "mere liberalism" into a Gospel-centered notion of government; one in which virtue --faith, hope, and love-- are pre-eminent.
On this journey, I continue. May the Holy Spirit guide me, and the prayers of the Saints strengthen me.
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