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http://www.progress.org/cg/henn1204.htm Georgist Values, Christian Economics: Three panelists spoke on the subject of Georgist Values, Christian Economics at the Council of Georgist Organizations conference July 23, 2004 in Albuquerque. Comparison
of George's Economic Theory of Justice
with the Catholic Church's Social Teachings Concerning the Right to Private Property in Land by Brendan Hennigan
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Introduction Without diluting the difficulties that exist between the Georgist position on private property in land, and the Catholic Church's social teachings, on the same subject, there are some surprising similarities between the basic principles advocated by both. Recent documents, in particular those developed after Vatican II, are of particular interest to the followers of Henry George. The Vatican II document "The Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World: Gaudium et Spes" (proclaimed 7 December, 1965), extended and defined the meaning of the common good. The common good is that: which is the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfilment more fully and more easily. The document also emphasised that all created earthly goods were to be shared fairly. This would include land, all natural resources, and those things produced by one's labour. Pope John Paul II, was a participant at the council and assisted in the writing of key documents. He has first hand knowledge of the spirit of Vatican II, its intent, and importance of the Church's role in the modern world. John Paul II's social encyclicals renew and update the themes of the economic, ethical, and social realities of "New Things", which include a response to the worker question, poverty, and social injustice. John Paul II was in an unique position to comment on these social questions. He lived under two Totalitarian regimes: the Soviets and the Nazi's. His pontificate saw the fall of communism or as he calls it "Real Socialism": the political and economic system he experienced in his native Poland. He is a renowned advocate of the dignity of the human person, the rights of workers and the oppressed. What do the Catholic Church and the popes have to say about land? Catholic social teachings and John Paul II's encyclical letter Centesimus Annus: On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (1991), are of relevance to Georgists. Henry George's book The Condition of Labour: An Open Letter to Leo XIII, published in 1891, was a critique of the Church's first social encyclical Rerum Novarum. In it, George severely criticised the Church's view that one had a natural right to private property in land. He systematically exposed the failure of the encyclical to address the true cause of poverty, that is, private property in land. Also, in George's opinion, Rerum Novarum did not provide a sufficient remedy for the eradication of poverty and other social problems. George had friends and adversaries within the Catholic Church. The tone of his writings reflect the respect he had for the office of St. Peter. However, this did not stop him from thinking the Catholic Church had got it all wrong. In fact, it inspired him to broadcast his views on landownership, private property, and land value taxation to a wider audience of believers. The purpose of the open letter to Leo XIII was not to debate, but to define his own views. Quoting from a letter he wrote to his son, Henry George junior: What I really aimed at, he informed his son, "is to make clear brief explanation of our principles, to show their religious character, and to draw a line between us and the socialist. I have written to such men as Cardinal Manning, General Booth and religious minded men of all creeds." The Georgist movement needs to do the same thing today. They need to reach out to all men and woman of good will. The dream that Henry George had of a more just society must not die. It may be obscured by time and circumstances, but it is alive in his writings and the actions of people who desire a better world, one not racked by poverty and the misuse of God's gift to humanity: land. A century later the question must be asked. Is there some compatibility between the philosophy of George and Catholic social teachings on the land question. My purpose is to highlight Catholic social teachings in the areas of property rights, the common good and justice. My proposition is that justice demands that Christians and all people of good will put their differences aside and look for common ground on matters concerning the land question and poverty. Both Henry George and Catholic social teachings agree that natural law and justice are the foundation of property rights. George was fervently opposed to the concept of private property in land. Catholic social teachings wholeheartedly support it. However, George and his principles were never directly condemned in Catholic social encyclicals. This leaves open the possibility of dialogue when considering land, economic justice and the common good. I emphasise 'directly condemned'. It is true that Henry George believed Rerum Novarum was written as an attack on his social and economic theory. It could be argued, that since George's purpose was to differentiate his theory of natural and economic justice from the socialist model; the fall of communism may have actually helped his cause. George was not a socialist and his adversaries do him an injustice to class him as one. Today, Georgism must accurately define its mission and insist that land reform, and the introduction of a land value tax system, is neither collectivist nor absolutely individualistic. It is a doctrine in accord with the Christian principles of natural law, justice, and social development. In the economic and ethical realities of landownership, George's guiding light was the Golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It is a maxim that one ought to keep in mind in our discussion today. Catholic social teachings Three important points should be remembered when discussing Catholic social teachings:
Natural rights and Land George and Catholic social teachings are in agreement that land is a gift from God to all humankind from generation to generation. Equal rights to land is based on the dignity of the human person. Work is both personal and necessary. It is through land and work that one provides for one's daily needs and wants. The universal destination of earthly goods requires stewardship of and respect for God's gift. The claim of Catholic social teachings is that individual rights must always be subordinate to community rights. John Paul II writes in his Encyclical "On Human Work" the right to individual ownership or property is not absolute: Christian tradition has never upheld this right as absolute and untouchable. On the contrary, it has always understood this right within the broader context of the right common to all to use the goods of the whole of creation: the right to private property is always subordinate to the right to common use, to the fact that goods are meant for everyone. How one is to determine the rights to individual property and common property is what seems to separate George and Catholic social teachings. It may be one that is not insurmountable. Both believe that it is by work that we attach one's natural right to property and that is the way we can call a thing our own. For example, if I plant a crop, build a house, or bake a loaf of bread one has a moral and a legal entitlement to it. Does the same principle apply to land? Land meaning the natural materials, forces, and opportunities of nature. Unlike George, Catholic social teachings does not differentiate between private property in land and private property in productive goods. George says that private property in land is a violation of natural law. Land is common property and private property rights cannot be attached to it. Catholic social teachings is based on the fundamental principle, as stated in Rerum Novarum, that while it is true that land is a gift given to all, individual property in land (here the Church means agricultural land) is in accordance with natural law. Rerum Novarum and other encyclicals talk of the "inviolability of private property" rights. But these rights are not absolute. St. Thomas Aquinas says that the "world's resources" must be used wisely. Selfishness must not impede the aim of the common good. Solidarity and justice John Paul II identifies the justification for land ownership to the act of work. In his 1991 encyclical Centesimus Annus, commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of Rerum Novarum, he seems to be in agreement with George that land speculation is unjust, especially when it deprives others of a livelihood: Ownership of the means of production, whether in industry or agriculture, is just and legitimate if it serves useful work. It becomes illegitimate, however, when it is not utilized or when it serves to impede the work of others, in an effort to gain a profit which is not the result of the overall expansion of work and the wealth of society, but is rather the result of curbing them or of illicit exploitation, speculation or the breaking of solidarity among working people. (ft.: see John Paul II's Laborem Exercens: On Human Work, no. 14, "Work and Ownership".) Ownership of this kind has no justification, and represents an abuse in the sight of God and man. How are these abuses to be addressed? Those concerned about the impact of urban decay and urban sprawl may see in John Paul II's observations that land-use must take into account the needs of the community. Especially, when misuse of land deprives others of work. Legitimate public authorities have a responsibility and duty to guard the common good. The principle of "solidarity" is one of the cornerstones of Catholic social teachings. It has a twofold purpose: (1) promote the idea of Christian
friendship and charity between individuals; and
(2) fraternity between communities, both locally and world-wide. George believed that land value taxation is the way to achieve a balance between individual and communal rights. Vacant city lots could be put to better use, for example, for affordable housing, when the tax system limits inefficient land speculation. Social reforms which created better living conditions for the less fortunate in society would be justified under the principle of 'solidarity'. Modifying existing tax laws to emphasise the best use of land would be compatible with Catholic social teachings. As long as taxes were not a burden on any particular group or class. Agrarian reform is also advocated by Catholic social teachings. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace report: Towards A Better Distribution of Land (1997), acknowledges the human and social problems created by the concentration and misappropriation of land. This is especially true in Third World countries, but does not exclude the concerns of all those living in more developed countries. Again, those possessing land must not view it as exclusively theirs: Section 23 of the document reads: The underlying nature of creation is
that of being a gift from God, a gift for all, and God wants it to
remain so. God's first command is therefore to preserve the earth in
its nature as a gift and blessing, not to transform it into an
instrument of power or motive for division.
The report goes on to say that the possession or ownership of land (private property) is not "unconditional" and it "entails some very precise obligations". Large land holdings are "illegitimate" when they are "poorly cultivated, or simply left uncultivated for speculation". It is morally wrong to deprive people of the necessities of life and the capacity to access nature's bounty: In
the social teachings of the Church, such latifundia go against the
principle that "the world is given to all, and not only to the rich."
so that "no one is justified in keeping for the exclusive use what he
does not need, when others lack necessities." (footnote: Paul
VI, Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio, 1967, no. 23.)
George did not believe that the equal distribution of land would eradicate poverty. This being said, he was in favour of a wider distribution of land. There seems to be enough common ground so that Georgists and Christians can co-operate to achieve this goal. Henry George writes in The Science of Political Economy: "The government of the universe is a moral government, having its foundation in justice." George talks a lot about justice and how it is to be achieved. The traditional definition of justice quoted by Catholic philosophers and moral theologians can be found in the writings of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Justice is: "The habit whereby a man renders to each one his due by constant and perpetual will." And goes on further to say that: "Justice is the virtue of the good citizen." In Catholic social teachings, justice is applied three ways: through communative, legal, and distributive justice and all these constitute a social whole.
An argument may be made that the present system of taxation is unjust because it does not comply with the principle of justice. Communative justice, that is, legally and freely entered into, and binding contracts, is called into question with the payment of economic rent to landowners. Is it a fair and equal transaction in relations to one's rights? Or are your rights violated by the landowner demanding the community portion of the economic rent. Distributive justice may be breached when the community does not have the revenue to invest in the social development of the community. A good many Catholic moral theologians would most likely disagree with me on this, but it is one worth exploring. Conclusion Fr. Edward McGlynn of New York was suspended from his public priestly duties for 4 years for supporting and advocating George's remedy. In the first part of the last century Catholic moral theologians have published articles and books criticising George and his "Single Tax". Of note is the Swiss born Jesuit Scholar Father Victor Cathrein (1845-1931) and American Monsignor John A. Ryan (1869-1945). But time has dimmed the name of Henry George and this may be a blessing in disguise. The demise of "Real Socialism", concern for the environment and natural resource management, and the failure of governments to stop urban decay, provide affordable housing and public transportation, may create the atmosphere where Georgist philosophy is once again at the forefront of social consciousness. Henry George had many Catholic followers, especially amongst the working poor of Europe and the United States. Politically the "Catholic vote" is still of importance in the United States, especially in a Presidential election year. For example, a headline in the New York Times, dated 20th April, 2004, read: "Conservatives Try to Exploit Catholic Democratics' Views". The Catholic constituency does not have a united position on land reform and taxation, property rights, or how to tackle social problems. But the time is ripe for Georgists to promulgate their views amongst those Christians advocating social justice for all. Gerry Barr, the president and CEO of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, a coalition of organisations working in Canada and overseas to end global poverty, wrote a recent article in "The Ottawa Citizen" newspaper on development, charity, and poverty. He chides governments and individuals for thinking charity alone will help developing nations. He writes: The problem isn't lack of knowledge or
basic skills but access to resources (be it fishing grounds or
equipment) or fair market system (to sell their catch).
Access to land and fair markets are still important issues today. On key principles Catholic social teachings and George do coincide. There is still the difficulty of the concept of private property in land, but this should not stop Catholic, Christian, and Georgist dialogue. --------------------------------- Brendan Hennigan spent 20 years in TV broadcasting and is a Doctoral candidate at the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology. He may be emailed at brendanhennigan@hotmail.com |
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