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A bishop named Marx takes on neo-cons, capitalism
by John L Allen Jr on Nov. 09, 2009
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Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF versionBy JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
One of Europe’s most influential prelates, and someone widely viewed as close to the thinking of Pope Benedict XVI, has come out swinging against American “neo-cons” and in defense of a strong social welfare state.
Ironically, this critique of laissez faire capitalism comes from a bishop named Marx.
Archbishop Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising made the comments in an interview with the prestigious Catholic journal 30 Giorni, published in its September issue. Marx, 56, is widely expected to become a cardinal in the near future. He was appointed by Benedict XVI in 2007 to head the archdiocese once led by the pope, while he was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
In the new interview, Marx reflects on the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, arguing that what was needed after the collapse of Communism was a “morally alert market economy, oriented towards global welfare,” but that instead what has prevailed is “radical capitalist ideology.”
Marx charges that what he calls “turbo-capitalism” has led “to a deterioration in the daily situation of millions of people.”
Asked about neo-conservatives in the United States opposed to state intervention in the economy, Marx says that while the Catholic church supports “freedom, democracy, and pluralism,” that position “has nothing to do with reducing Christianity to religious ideology propping up the market economy.”
“On some issues, such as the defense of life and the family, the so-called neo-cons are fully in line with the church,” Marx says. “But I don’t understand how one can define oneself ‘neo-conservative’ and put all one’s trust in the capitalist model.”
In fact, Marx says, capitalism is not at all conservative.
“It doesn’t conserve social and cultural situations as it found them, it changes them and often distorts them by introducing new paradigms and clichés,” he says.
In truth, Marx argues, the kind of “conservatism” to which a Catholic should be committed and capitalism sometimes “don’t go well together.”
Marx complained that in some conservative political circles the European model of the social welfare state has “become an embarrassment and a problem,” whereas in truth, he said, “it’s part of the solution to the problem.”
What saved Germany during the recent global economic crisis, Marx argues, is “a welfare state that works: insurance for the unemployed, benefits for those laid off, support for those with odd jobs, public health care.”
Asked if all that means his famous namesake, Karl Marx, the father of Communism, was right in his analysis of capitalism, the archbishop offered a nuanced reply.
“In the same period there were also representatives of Christian social doctrine who reached the same level of critical examination of the mechanisms of capitalism, and where these mechanisms lead if left uncurbed,” he said.
“But certainly, where Marx is right, we must acknowledge it.”
This is not the first time that the Catholic Marx has waded into economic debates.
Last year, Marx published a book offering a moral analysis of the economy, titled (slightly tongue in cheek) Das Kapital, playing off the name of Karl Marx’s most famous work. The sound-bite splashed on the cover summed up Archbishop Marx’s argument: “Capitalism without humanity, solidarity and the rule of law has no morality and no future,” it read.
In the book, Mark argued that what he calls “turbo-capitalism,” meaning an essentially unregulated form of capitalism with limited social protections, has been a bad deal for a substantial majority of the world’s population. He cited the eclipse of trade unions, the erosion of the real value of wages, the disappearance of retail trade, and the yawning gap between a super-rich elite and the vast pools of “working poor.”
Marx argues that left unchecked, globalization will necessarily widen these imbalances in favor of the rich, because capital is global whereas labor is often necessarily local.
“In this way the possibilities for investors, speculators and the conjurors of finance increase, while those who can count only on the work of their hands are worsted,” Marx wrote.
30 Giorni can be found on-line here: http://www.30giorni.it/it/default.asp
Finally, a member of the
Finally, a member of the hierarchy turns his attention to one of the real problems facing humanity. This one should have been addressed more consistently long ago. But it is never too late, and good to see that someone close to the pope has turned his attention in the right direction. The pope seems to share those concerns expressed by Marx (the one now living, that is). Hunger and poverty are largely the result of greed, competition, and individual power, all characteristics of unfettered capitalism. When capitalism is balanced with the concerns and projects of social welfare, it can be and often is good for everyone in that economy. On the other hand, unfettered capitalism, the laissez-faire kind, simply leaves too many behind to die from starvation and without decent living conditions for those who survive. Let's hope that the Church remains focused on this subject, and not on how to prop up oppressive regimes in various parts of the world, particularly in Latin America. It seems to get so sidetracked by the charm of oppressive leaders. It loses its backbone in the presence of such leaders. Or is it because it really has none anyway? Who knows?
It's not ironic that his name
It's not ironic that his name is Marx. It might be surprising, or even appropriate, but not ironic.
I do agree that capitalism as
I do agree that capitalism as practiced today has problems. However, as an economic system, it is not good or bad (morally). What is immoral are the people who manipulate the system and act as though the bottom line is the most important issue in a business transaction, not people! There are companies, and a growing number (although the number are still very small) that do not operate for profit. Instead, they have the common good as their end. This, however, is not what most conservatives have in mind when they trumpet unbridled capitalism as the solution to the worlds woes!
The term "neo-con" is
The term "neo-con" is inappropriate in this context. Laissez faire capitalists have little, if anything, to do with the political thought associated with neo-conservatives. While most neo-cons may share the laissez faire belief, the term relates to the intervention of US interests (economic and military) in other countries for the promotion of liberalism.
If you tried to distinguish
If you tried to distinguish between Laissez faire capitalism and Neo-liberal capitalism you probably will see that the difference between them is the same.
denyu
Bunk! The bishops should keep
Bunk! The bishops should keep to religion and morality. The reason we are faced with the total take over of health care by the government is because the bishops have been flirting with socialism for the last seventy or eighty years. That is what happened with the Stupak-Pitts amendment. It gave cover, provided by the bishops for Catholics to vote for the Health Care Bill.
Morality, religion, politics
Morality, religion, politics and the economy assume a fully functioning human person. Go and study this phrase "Mens sana in corpore sano" A sick and dying person is of no use for religion, economics and politics but for God alone in heaven. To whom will the poor bishops preach morality and faith?
The total take over of health
The total take over of health care by the government? You really need to understand your terms before you throw them out. If this were about the government taking over ownership of all the providers of medical care-like the VA, then you would be correct. Seeing that all people have access to health care by providing insurance reform and looking to lower the costs is not a complete takeover of health care. Maybe you should spend some time seeing how other countries provide coverage for their citizens before you make this kind of incorrect statement. By conservative estimates, 18,000 people a year die from lack of access to medical care, and other estimates go as high as 45,000. This does not happen in any other industrialized country. A high percentage of personal bankruptcies are due to medical reasons. In Switzerland, Germany,and France, as well as other countries, that number is ZERO. Our health care system is unsustainable and on the verge of meltdown, and if you refuse to see that, then you are spending too much time listening to false rhetoric and not learning the facts. Throwing around words like socialism and communism (as someone further down the line does) shows a total lack of comprehesion of the facts. Open your eyes and see the truth.
Peace and blessings.
Let us all pray for global
Let us all pray for global peace and harmony.
The only answer is for the
The only answer is for the Pope in union with the Bishops to obey Our Lady of Fatima and "correctly" consecrate RUSSIA (NOT the world) to Her Immaculate Heart! IF this is not done, Our Lady told the children that Communism would continue to spread throughout the world and we are certainly experiencing that now in America. See Fatima on demand videos at fatima.org
My only hope is that this
My only hope is that this Bishop be given the Red Hat.
really he seems to be
really
he seems to be grooming for the white cap
The "neo-cons" like the
The "neo-cons" like the "neo-liberals" are absolutely against humanity in its radical essence. While many claim to defend life, they deny millions of people the inalienable right of a comprehensive health care system while they support war globally to advance the whimsical vandalism of capital. This capitalism without humanity inbred with the profundity of rugged egoism has nothing to do with Christianity which proposes fullness of life to all (Jn 10:10)
Capitalism today as radically practiced in certain countries is its own grave digger and any attempts at stimulus packages is just lipsticking an 'old woman'.
Its radical inhuman search for super profits is absolutely self defeating. It radically reduces the purchasing power of its its own market and hence reduces the circulation of capital leading to financial meltdowns.
As it has been observed in the richest countries it is the millions of the poor who daily subsidize the ignorance and greed of the capitalist class through government stimulus packages which inevitably end up in the hands of the capitalist class anyway! The stimulus packages in their radical form are an exercise in the self-exploitation of the poor and further demonstrate that it is the capitalist class which need the poor working class to stimulate it!
Why does that happen? Simple, the capitalist desire for accumulation is unlimited while both natural resources and human labor are limited. A deregulated capitalism proposed by Margaret Thatcher and Reagan will finally lend this planet into a Titanic Disaster in which the climatic changes are just a tip of the iceberg! In the Titanic they danced and argued until a point came when things were just irreversible and the Titanic sank. The sad thing today is that capitalism is recruiting even science into the denialism, not only of human rights but also of environmental change. With this scientific 'nosedive' the hopes of a rescue are dim for both humanity and the planet! In this sense it is clear to every thinking individual that the 'neo-cons' have nothing to do with Christianity and are paragons of neither life nor the economic development they seemingly defend!
Denyutali
Communism is a dead lion no
Communism is a dead lion no thinking person is scared of it. The world is in danger today because of deregulated capitalism, "A horse without a rider"
Examine a nation plagued by
Examine a nation plagued by hunger and poverty and you will find a totalitarian government whose rulers lust for power and control over every aspect of the private sector.
Capitalism powered by a free market economy, individual freedom with responsibility for consequences of one's actions, the right to profit from one's work, and the right to work without paying blackmail for that right to work, all contribute to form a prosperous nation that benefits every individual.
What annoys Archbishop Marx is that Capitalism encourages thought, reason, and logic. Totalitarianism suppresses thought, reason and truth. Marx, just as did his namesake, embraces totalitarianism, and suppression of free-thought and education.
Marx despises the United States of America, because the USA proves that individual freedom coupled with all of capitalism's attributes develops prosperity for all willing to work and who are respectful of his neighbors life and property. America's present administration is determined to destroy individual freedom and natural prosperity derived from capitalism. Government over-regulation, labor union lust for power, and government suppression of education are just three actions that are destroying the greatest nation that ever graced planet Earth.
Examine a nation plagued by
Examine a nation plagued by hunger and poverty and you will find a totalitarian government whose rulers lust for power and control over every aspect of the private sector.
Capitalism powered by a free market economy, individual freedom with responsibility for consequences of one's actions, the right to profit from one's work, and the right to work without paying blackmail for that right to work, all contribute to form a prosperous nation that benefits every individual.
What annoys Archbishop Marx is that Capitalism encourages thought, reason, and logic. Totalitarianism suppresses thought, reason and truth. Marx, just as did his namesake, embraces totalitarianism, and suppression of free-thought and education.
Marx despises the United States of America, because the USA proves that individual freedom coupled with all of capitalism's attributes develops prosperity for all willing to work and who are respectful of his neighbors life and property. America's present administration is determined to destroy individual freedom and natural prosperity derived from capitalism. Government over-regulation, labor union lust for power, and government suppression of education are just three actions that are destroying the greatest nation that ever graced planet Earth.
Nonsense, rubbish and
Nonsense, rubbish and trivial. More people have been raised out of poverty by capitalism than any other system. The turbo-capitalism referred to has not existed since the 20's. It is gov't intervention that fosters the search for loop-holes in tax laws/ tariffs - which leads to stupid and non-productive (inequitable) decisions. Good luck with the cardinal position. I hope economic policy is not a required skill. I'm sure the good bishop thinks green jobs are our salvation.
This bishop would be welcomed
This bishop would be welcomed with open arms unto Notre Dame, Geogetown and most if not all, college catholic campuses - after all it is thru secular means salvation can be attained.
Charity = gov't handout.
love = tolerance
faith = trust in some gov't bureaucrat
Is the UN looking for a spiritual leader? This is the man for it. Free will is over rated - it's the slave will as determined by the state that is really, really important for human dignity.
I am always stunned by the
I am always stunned by the remarkable degree of historical and economic ignorance that exists in, and is exhibited by, otherwise intelligent people. Is it an education problem? Experience/age deficit? Or is something more fundamental? Anyway, unless you dozed through History & Econ 101, or are too young to know better, or were cursed by having a sub-standard public education, any reasonable review of history demonstrates the superiority of free markets (let's drop the Marxist terminology - "Capitalism" is a loaded term)over any centralized command & control model. And this superiority relates to any measure, including the standard of living for every socio-economic strata within a culture. Want to compare the standard of living for those living below the "poverty level" in the US against any other country in Western Europe? How about any other reasonably sized country that qualifies as somewhat free in terms of their political and economic institutions? Forget the rest. What is the means and mechanism for dramatically raising the standards of living, and freedom and quality of health in countries around the world that were, or still are second and third world cultures? Is it Communism, Socialism, Fascism or any of the many other variants of C & C economics? And one can only chuckle at the use of the term "laissez faire capitalism". Where in the world is that being practiced? Certainly not in the US. Our economy, and the plight of those at the bottom of the economic spectrum would be much improved if it were being pratcticed. Archbishop Marx (the irony is too rich) has known nothing in his life experience other than either Nazi fascism or post war social democracy (soft socialism). So where did the good Archbishop gain his understanding of all those laissez faire economies that he is criticizing? One thing you can always count on...liberals and progressives live in a perpetual state of cognitive dissonance, which comfortably isolates them from reality. Looks like the Archbishop and many of the readers above fit this category.
the German edition of this
the German edition of this important tome is available at
http://www.amazon.com/Das-Kapital-Reinhard-Marx/dp/3629021557/ref=sr_1_1...
The free market system with
The free market system with some regulation has proven to be the best known system for sharing wealth among all peoples. However, too often the system is corrupted by human greed that leads to economic oppression and poverty for many. Therefore, I agree with Archbishop Marx and Pope John Paul II that those involved in the free market system need to place concern for the dignity of the human person at the forefront their projects and not the quest for profit at the expense of people. Socialism comes with a high price tag: exorbitant taxes on all levels of society. Businesses should pay their employees a "living wage" not just a minimum wage, and many Catholic business owners in the U.S. strive to do so. The bottomline is that it is not "capitalism" but human greed and lack of concern for others that cause the problems.
As to health care reform, David Goldhill, a liberal, wrote an article in The Atlantic, How American Health Care Killed My Father. in the Article, he makes the point that we don't need universal, government-run health care which just adds another insurance layer, but systemic changes in who should make health care decisions: the consumer and the doctor, not the government or insurance companies. He rightly points out that one of the major reasons for rampant health care increases is government involvement through Medicare and Medicaid. I, a conservative, agree wholeheartedly with his assessment. Too bad no one, liberal or conservative, will listen to him.
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