Rerum Novarum
Outline:
A. The English Economists. Ricardo: Labor, Capital and Landed = wages, profits, rents.
B. The Center Party in Germany and a Catholic social agenda
C. 1882: “to study deeply and thoroughly, from a Catholic point of view, the social and economic questions of labor, to establish principles based on that study, and secure acceptance of these principles as a basis for action.”
D. Rerum novarum: 1. rejects socialist answers; right to convert living wages into property; 2. a dialogue on social issues and a rejection of class hostility; 3. rejection of laissez-faire abuse and protection against “cruelty of men of greed.” To share profits.
E. Americanism: water down doctrine; individualism regarding religion and spirituality; emphasis on action; relaxing primitive constitutions of Religious Orders