POPE FRANCIS AND THE LAWS OF JUSTICE

Pope Francis is bringing a good deal of attention to economic inequality, injustice, human dignity, and the poor. His approach is distinct from his predecessors, and has caught many by surprise. Bishop Robert McElroy has put together a nice article that outlines several topics that Pope Francis has consistently discussed, which include the poor and issues tied to economic inequality.

Below are three of the key issues that Pope Francis is bringing attention to around the world:


GREAT INEQUALITY GAPS & ARBITRARY TAKINGS 
The tyrants of the market have replaced the tyrants of the state. Here's what Pope Francis says ...
"While the income of a minority is increasing exponentially, that of the majority is crumbling. This imbalance results from ideologies which uphold the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation, and thus deny the right of control to States, which are charged with providing for the common good. A new, invisible and at times virtual, tyranny is established, one which unilaterally and irremediably imposes its own laws and rules." --Address to new Vatican ambassadors, May 16


OPPORTUNITY
The state creates the conditions under which opportunity and great wealth are created. This should not be undermined. But it is under our current market system. Here's what Pope Francis says ... 
"Every economic and political theory or action must set about providing each inhabitant of the planet with the minimum wherewithal to live in dignity and freedom, with the possibility of supporting a family, educating children, praising God and developing one's own human potential. This is the main thing; in the absence of such a vision, all economic activity is meaningless." -- Letter to Prime Minister David Cameron for the G8 Meeting, June 17-18


LAWS OF JUSTICE VIOLATED 
Shifting state resources to sectors that don't deserve them, while ignoring the needs of larger segments of society. Here's what Pope Francis says ... 
"This happens today: if the investments in the banks fall slightly... a tragedy... what can be done? But if people die of hunger, if they have nothing eat, if they have poor health, it does not matter! This is our crisis today!" -- Address at Vigil of Pentecost, May 18


There's more, which you can read here.

One thing is clear, though. The Pope understands the role of the state in creating opportunities. But he also understands that the resources of the state have been hijacked by market players who now threaten "market collapse" whenever they want to extort favorable legislation, or secure taxpayer funded bailouts from the state. All of this caught my attention because these are the issues that I feature prominently in my book, The Myth of the Free Market.

In a few words, the prerogative(s) and authority of the state have been hijacked by market players. They are using the state to reach their market goals. History's military and political tyrants have been replaced by today's market tyrants. And, it would appear, Pope Francis sees that it's happening.

What this means for his followers, and in the economic swamplands that we call our market place, remains to be seen. Stay tuned.

- Mark