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Catholic Social Teaching (Third Way Special Edition)

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This is an excellent presentation of standard Catholic Thought from the past to the present.An emphasis is placed on the works of Pope Leo XIII.It attempts to apply this standard approach ,that emphasized social and economic justice,peace,and an option for the poor,to the present.It can be thought of as an updated version of Catholic thought on economics and justice.

The one criticism is that the authors appear to have no knowledge of the powerful,indeed overwhelming, support for the position they outline in this book that comes from Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations(1776;for example,pp.300-340,434-439,and 734-741),the sixth edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments(1790) and John Maynard Keynes's the General Theory(1936;pp.305-306, 321-327,338-353,and 374-377).Overlooking these sources prevents them from countering the view that they have no hard evidence to support their policy recommendations.

The authors confuse Catholic Social Teaching, which favors no economic system but favors human dignity, with their own scheme for the redistribution of wealth and a new political order.

In order to make their case, they misstate the content of a number of papal encyclicals. For example, they take comments directed at unrestrained capitalism in the 19th century and aim them at modern regulated capitalism in which the bulk of the ownership resides with retirees.

They similarly distort economic theories in order to bolster the case for what can only be described as a crackpot scheme for seizing ownership of private property.

Those with any formal knowledge of economics and Catholic Social Teaching will either be amused or scratch their heads.

Add this to your collection of books espousing eccentric theories.