> 2020-12-17
This is a breakdown of the encyclical Fratelli Tutti [1] written by Pope Francis.
The encyclical covers a wide range of topics and displays a generally more political tone while attempting to balance diverging viewpoints. Sometimes this leads to over-simplification or self-contradiction.
This note primarily discusses socio-economic subjects and reference numbers are provided for the appropriate sections of the encyclical.
| Topic | Summary | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Exporting or copying cultural models reduces national identity (#51) and different cultures are not enemies (#147). | This ignores that some cultures are objectively better at protecting human rights (e.g. abolishing slavery). |
| Immigration | Improve origin nations to reduce unnecessary migration and avoid building welfare programs for migrants (#129) but establish comprehensive programs for necessary migration situations (#130). | Somewhat contradictory program scope points; providing local-level assistance and exporting state-level national improvements is likely a better and more targeted approach. |
| Localism | Globalism erodes national identity (#12), focus scope from local to global (#78), avoid universal, central planning (#100), balance nationalism and humanitarianism (#149), local organizations are more knowledgeable in local situations than global organizations are (#175). | Local problem solving better accounts for risk and resource assessments and avoids “one size fits all” solutions. |
| Economics | Reducing labor cost in production can produce negative consequences (#20), consumerism is destructive (#36), opportunities should include assistance to vulnerable individuals (#108), economics must not supersede human rights (#122), markets cannot solve all problems (#168). | Correctly states that economics must be human-centric and markets cannot solve all problems; however there are over-simplifications since reduced product costs make resources more available (e.g. cheaper food) and advance better technology (e.g. from coal to nuclear energy). |
| Poverty | Wealth has increased along with inequality and new forms of poverty (#21). | This point ignores that absolute poverty has drastically declined in recent decades. [2] |
| Individualism | Waiting for government-provided opportunities is irresponsible (#77), community relationships enrich self-definition (#89), equality does not induce fraternity (#103), individual differences build cultures (#218). | Unique individuals with charitable hearts working collaboratively build the strongest social fabrics; similar strength cannot be produced by legislative dictates. |
| Charity | Charity cannot be issued through one solution and must be through individual action (#165), moral formation drives individual charity (#167), and legislation can establish charity (#186). | The first two points conflict with the last which favors top-down solutions rather than individually-driven charitable interaction. |
| Borders | Borders cannot exclude resource access (#121 and #124), prosperous nations should support needy nations (#125). | Disolving borders reduces local self-determination by removing a citizen’s right to their produced resources but arbitrary migration restrictions are also unproductive. A more “natural” border could be established via a citizen’s dividend. [3]. |
| Work | Economic goal of no stragglers (#110), using talents in work is noble (#123), and dignity is found in work (#162). | Somewhat utopian in vision and will likely never be realized but points regarding self-sufficiency and “noble work” are practically achievable. |
| Nuclear Weapons | Peace and trust cannot be established through threat of violence (#262). | While trust may not be built, peace certainly can - nuclear proliferation has coincided with decreased intensity of violent conflicts. [4]. |
| Indigenous Peopls | Natives are less violent and more egalitarian (#220). | This conflicts with history; in the Americas tribal and imperial warfare was common as were their prehistoric contributions to early megafaunal exinctions. [5] |
| Public Order | Law enforcment is required in charitable societies (#164). | Safety and community organization cannot exist without a shared, enforced legal framework. |
| Private Property | All humans are shared stewards of world natural resources (#120). | This is in-line with Georgism [6] without denying the right to personally produced products. |
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