Laborem Exercens

In his third encyclical Laborem exercens in 1981 Pope John Paul II on the work as one of the characteristics of man, which distinguishes him from other creatures. In addition, this encyclical is also used to support the independent Polish trade union Solidarity.

Rerum Novarum anniversary of

The 90th anniversary of Rerum Novarum of two and a half years after the start of his pontificate, John Paul II wrote this social encyclical. He wanted to release on May 15, 1981 St. Peter's Square, which was prevented by the assassination perpetrated on him on 13 May. Only four months later on September 14, 1981, he could imagine it. While previous social encyclicals were prepared by working groups, it is believed that this encyclical alone comes from his pen. She has not so much the economic and social structures in the field of view, but deals thematically with the working people.

Views

In the encyclical views are developed, which is also evident in the emphasis of this teaching writing:

  • Principle of the supremacy of labor over capital
  • An exclusive right of private ownership of the means of production must not be dogmatic
  • Co-ownership of the means of production workers
  • Participation in the management and the company's revenue.

Communism and Western prosperity

The encyclical was written at a time, as in the communist world of faith and the consolation of the workers to live in prosperity and justice was always fragile, whereas led prosperity and social security reached to new failures in the liberal societies. The work would not be recognized as a personal performance and be more means to an end and that they would lose their social value, he notes in his findings as to the actual condition.

Value of work

Regarding the Social Question in the Industrial Age, so turns to the Pope against the " fallacy of primitive capitalism" in the 19th century, the work only then evaluated in the wake of the " materialistic and economistic tendencies ", which it produces in goods. It is only the man who worked as a person, which is therefore also entitled to have that in the labor and production process would be given decent conditions and fair wages are paid. According to this approach, the encyclical reaffirms its commitment to Catholic social teaching. Furthermore, the Pope addressed the question of the health of the human mind and its quest for spiritual knowledge. This quest should not be forced into religion -teaching this world.

Property and means of production

The Pope noted that there was no " structural opposition between labor and capital ". Not even between those who contribute their work, and the owners of the means of production. John Paul II reaffirms the principles of Catholic social teaching in terms of private property ownership and called again - completely in line with that already Leo XIII. had wrapped in Rerum Novarum - the participation of employees in ownership of the means of production. Not socialization of private property, but its broad diversification is one of the central tasks of the division of labor in industrial society.

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