Why I Am Not A Capitalist

Music written and generously provided by Paul Jernberg. Find out more about his work as a composer here: pauljernberg.com
I would never say that I am a Capitalist because I think it’s degrading to place oneself in a posture of subservience to an ideology like that. The only label or category that I find doesn’t reduce us to something less than we are is Catholic because Catholic means the whole - the whole picture, the whole truth. That’s what I follow. I’m not some tool of an economic policy.
As a Catholic I can appreciate attempts to offer solutions to human problems in both capitalism and socialism, but neither of them offer a complete solution because both of them treat the difficulties of humanity as merely material which reduces us to our basic needs, like a herd that needs to be fattened and fenced in.
A movie I saw recently that I enjoyed a lot more than the critics was Passenger starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt.The story is about a spaceship carrying a number of passengers who are in a state of suspended animation for the duration of the long journey but one of them accidentally wakes up.
He’s basically alone on a cruise ship with all the food and entertainment he could want, but his situation reminds us that having our material needs provided for isn’t nearly enough to satisfy the spectrum of that which makes a person human. So he begins to entertain the dilemma of waking up another passenger.
Now I think a lot of people think that’s the missing piece. We are an animal with needs, we have basic needs, but we also have social needs or we get lonely and depressed. But I don’t think that really captures the problem. This hierarchy of needs seems to suggest that we are mere consumers that must have our appetites satiated, including our appetite for relationship. But we don’t just need to have relationships. We need to have purpose.
We need to experience life as an amelioration of moral choices that have eternal consequences. We are moral agents and we have to exercise that moral agency and if we don’t, we become bored, restless, sterile, and malaise.
And this moral agency is best experienced and tested in our relationships with others. It’s easy to think of ourselves as patient, kind, generous, and agreeable until someone with a different temperament and different wants and preferences competes with your own.
The experience of trying to blend your life with someone else, to try to provide for someone else, and then to care for the lives that are produced through that union at the most critical and vulnerable stages of life is the most intense immersion into a confrontation with your moral quality.
It isn’t just that we get lonely without the opportunity to have and experience relationships with others, it’s that we stop having opportunities to learn and grow as moral beings and the moral dimension of our souls decays into ruin.
Capitalism doesn’t seem to appreciate any of these aspects of our humanity or human life and if it is meant to provide solutions to human flourishing and happiness - or what Aristotle called eudaimonia, then Capitalism falls critically short of those requirements.
Pope St. John Paul II said this, “In reality, while on the one hand it is true that Capitalism shows the failure of Marxism to contribute to a humane and better society, on the other hand, insofar as it denies an autonomous existence and value to morality, law, culture and religion, it agrees with Marxism, in the sense that it totally reduces man to the sphere of economics and the satisfaction of material needs.”
Christopher Dawson said, “Both Communism and Capitalism agree in putting economic things first and in ordering society to an economic end, and consequently they are both far more opposed to Catholicism than they are to one another.”
Chesterton had a point when he said “It is Capitalism that has … destroyed the influence of the parent in favour of the influence of the employer; that has driven men from their homes to look for jobs; that has forced them to live near their factories or their firms instead of near their families; and, above all, that has encouraged, for commercial reasons, a parade of publicity and garish novelty, which is in its nature the death of all that was called dignity and modesty by our mothers and fathers.”
And I would add that it is capitalism that turns people like the Kardashians into role models and pornography into your 13-year-old son’s new best friend.
And that’s because the aim of capitalism is profit and economic growth. It doesn’t account for the moral implications of those ends. If it thrusts highly dysfunctional people into the cultural looking glass and normalizes their abnormal lives, as long as it generates revenue, the aims of Capitalism are satisfied.
To read the full transcript, visit brianholdsworth.ca/digressions

[@robertwilliams9355]

From a Catholic convert in Wales.. we do appreciate your postings..God Bless you and your family.What a consolation , the Catholic Faith....

[@StarWolfKing]

I wouldn't advise following the Catholic Church. Christ is the way, not Catholicism. You need only to ask God yourself. Christ is the way, not Catholicism. The false church was warned about in the time of Jesus. You need not take my word for it. Watch a video, pray to God, and ask him yourself. Catholic man dies and finds out by Jesus Christ that Catholicism leads straight to Hell for eternity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rTpZV6jrCgfMU Mary is crying before Jesus because Catholics Keep Worshiping her - Catholicism leads to Hell: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKuzdJmegNyEos0 How satan used the Catholic Church to create Islam & other Religions - Catholicism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d32ccqpsbZKmmLc Left Catholic Church to become Born again Christian after realizing Mary is false & Priest Abuse: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKpgZaHiZqsh9E

[@jturon9184]

Welcome home Robert.

[@StarWolfKing]

@@quatreuno7719 I don't do as the Catholics do and just re-wright Christianity to appease Pagan worshipers.

[@StarWolfKing]

@@russianspy1019 It's a spin of split of Catholic Church when the Roman empire fell. I go with the Teaches of Jesus and I ask for his council in all things.

[@StarWolfKing]

@@russianspy1019 It's sadly hard to find a church to go to that actually believes and severs Jesus. I mainly just pray to God wherever I am and anyone willing to pray with me is welcome. Remember so long as you have the Holy Spirit within you, you are a walking temple of the Lord. A church that he can be proud of if you keep his commandments. What church do you go to?

[@danielfortier2629]

I love this! I’m not a capitalist and I‘m not a socialist. I’m a Catholic! That says it all.

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

It took me a long time to realise this, but before I did, I tried to fit Catholicism into my political beliefs rather than the other way around. This is why it's extremely important to consider oneself Catholic first and put the Church's teachings before your own views, even if you don't understand them at first.

[@IdraSucks1]

Very well said!

[@StarWolfKing]

Christ is the way, not the Catholic Church. But you needn't take my word, but instead, ask God himself. Christ is the way, not Catholicism. The false church was warned about in the time of Jesus. You need not take my word for it. Watch a video, pray to God, and ask him yourself. Catholic man dies and finds out by Jesus Christ that Catholicism leads straight to Hell for eternity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rTpZV6jrCgfMU Mary is crying before Jesus because Catholics Keep Worshiping her - Catholicism leads to Hell: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKuzdJmegNyEos0 How satan used the Catholic Church to create Islam & other Religions - Catholicism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d32ccqpsbZKmmLc Left Catholic Church to become Born again Christian after realizing Mary is false & Priest Abuse: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKpgZaHiZqsh9E

It doesn't say anything. Catholicism is a religion. Capitalism and Socialism are economic systems. What are your alternatives? If you live in the US, then you are living in a capitalist nation. If you, as a Catholic, are not comfortable living under this system, then where are you going to move your family?

[@dominusdevacore517]

I like socialism for it for whatever reason always leads to return Christian truth. From Rome's Diocletian to post USSR... it seems to give way to human metaphysical roots. Capitalism is too drug like and seems to end in an ocean of plastic.

[@danielgabalski2312]

“....dig in the dirt for idols”. I almost fell of the chair laughing at the truth.

[@kimobrien.]

The peasants would still be doing that if it were up to the Church.

[@emperortbw402]

@@kimobrien. Because the Soviet Union liberated so many people from drudgery and oppression, right? The Catholic Church is the largest long term patron of the science and education that built the material security we enjoy today.

[@kimobrien.]

@@emperortbw402 The beat Imperialist Germany in WW2. Stalin lead a counter revolution that empowered a new labor aristocracy no different than people like Tony Boyle former president of the UMWA. The Stalinist along with the Social Democrats are responsible for the defeats of the German, French and Spanish revolutions of the 1930's. It was until the Cuban revolution of 1959 that all that began to turn around with a new revolutionary leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara who stood on the shoulders of what Lenin and Trotsky had accomplished in 1917. Russia was the poorest Empire in Europe under the Czar destroyed by WW1 and later by WW2. The US was protected by geography escaping the damage caused by both wars.

[@kimobrien.]

@LEEK More Americans in prison and at a higher percentage than China which is counterfeit communism anyway. Like the American capitalist want to pay for lots of unwanted babies. What are they going to do raise them like cattle in orphanages for Imperialist soldiers and cheap labor?

[@gsharp881]

Rerum Novarum is another good papal document to consider reading

[@eldermillennial8330]

Jonathan Lee Ching The phrase “Social Justice” was coined by it.

[@davidhardey959]

@@eldermillennial8330 the phrase social justice is not in Rerum novarum. If I am mistaken, please provide info as to where it is, bc I've never seen it there. Pius XI is the first to give it any treatment in quadragesimo anno.

[@kimobrien.]

@@davidhardey959 Bullshit ad nauseum. Is what you should really call it.

[@davidhardey959]

@@kimobrien. is what you should really call what?

[@kimobrien.]

@@davidhardey959 Any kind of moral hypocrisy being released by the Pope.

[@stephenlock6542]

I'm not a catholic, but your words are covered in wisdom and I take where I find it. Shalom to you on your journey!

[@IdraSucks1]

Brian, I found your channel by accident (or was it providence) two weeks ago while lesson planning for my online confirmation class. I'm amazed to say the least! I love the fairness, truth, and reasoning in your videos, and most importantly I love how it's in line with our faith. I'm definitely learning from you, sharing your videos, and supporting you! Thank you for being a blessing, and God bless!

[@roisinpatriciagaffney4087]

Hi Brian, i agree. Socialism, and Capitalism are secular ideas, but Catholicism is the perfect moral guide to living. ❤ Charity in truth.

[@johnpglackin345]

Capitalism works when you use Catholic Morality to make your decisions. It's that simple. Those who don't should be held accountable. That should be part of Capitalism.

[@williamcabell142]

roisin gaffney that shows me you know nothing about nothing. The Church be it perfect is not a form of Government...period. Capitalism is the only legitimate and fairest from of government to the faith out there. People like you are the reason why we end up with socialist trying to take over the Country.

[@StarWolfKing]

Christ is the way, not Catholicism. The false church was warned about in the time of Jesus. You need not take my word for it. Watch a video, pray to God, and ask him yourself. Catholic man dies and finds out by Jesus Christ that Catholicism leads straight to Hell for eternity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6rTpZV6jrCgfMU Mary is crying before Jesus because Catholics Keep Worshiping her - Catholicism leads to Hell: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKuzdJmegNyEos0 How satan used the Catholic Church to create Islam & other Religions - Catholicism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d32ccqpsbZKmmLc Left Catholic Church to become Born again Christian after realizing Mary is false & Priest Abuse: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKpgZaHiZqsh9E

[@TheBrunarr]

Socialism and capitalism aren't "moral guides," they're economic systems, so conflating them with catholic social teaching is erroneous.

[@Unclenate1000]

kind of like saying both lights on and off are evil.

[@boyonstilts3121]

I think what you are really criticizing is consumerism or materialism more than capitalism.

[@James_Wisniewski]

These things are inevitable results of a system which promotes economic success to the exclusion of all else and actively incentivizes most, if not all, of the seven deadly sins.

[@Paddy234]

No he is proposing a third way known as distributism based on Catholic social teaching

[@filiusvivam4315]

agreed. As is so often the case, Brian must define terms.

[@Unclenate1000]

@@Paddy234 not a third way. that's just a cobble up of capitalism and socialism, which is by the way what we basically have now

[@Molotov49]

Brian isn't big-brain enough to do a good job on a video like this.

[@jamessgian7691]

Chesterton and Belloc promoted Distributism, which they held as a third way between Capitalism and Socialism. It promoted the Catholic Social Thought you discuss here and suggested a more Agrarian or at least family-oriented society. The trouble with this suggestion is that neither of them were formal economists and the mechanisms for how to achieve the distribution of the capital so that the money would not become consolidated as it does in the corporatism we have isn’t functional as a separate system from capitalism. Capitalism is the correct economic system, but it requires the other aspects of Catholic Thought like subsidiarity, spiritual welfare rather than merely materialistic concerns, open books at all levels of corporate and government agencies to prevent fraud, favoritism, corporate welfare, lobbying by particular companies, etc. It should not be run by the Church, but should answer to the ethical authority of the Church with a periodically rotating ethical body of people who are not tied to any economic sector and have short terms. This will allow for the prosperity of capitalism, eliminating the use of force against human freedom inherent in socialism, and restrict the corruption of consolidations of power into too few hands. If we alter Distributism to this Catholic Capitalism, utilizing the free market economic system that has origins with Catholic thinkers, and applies the morality of Rerum Novarum, we will have the balance we need. This will also prevent us from the diminishment of world capital as we transition so poor people around the world who have just finally risen out of abject poverty are not plunged back into it.

[@neptasur]

Well said. What most people don't understand is that Capitalsim is just economic democracy; we all vote with our dollars on the direction of human endeavour. I love Chesterton, but ask any Distributist what their plan is and all you get is generalities about moral precepts, which is fine and good, but it's not an economic mechanism.

[@insertreference4207]

Wrong. Capitalism offers "mechanisms" or methods for the efficient distribution of goods as much as a enlightenment philosopher provides with the "true" means of grounding morality that is "divorced" from Crhsitian morality. Capitalism is immoral, anti-Catholic. The mechanisms are already there, just like the natural law is already there, no ideology provides something which God provides, this is satanic appropriation of that which belongs to God alone. Its evil.

[@jamessgian7691]

Insert Reference Capitalism is simply the efficient system for the mechanism. I am not saying any of the good it provides comes without God. All good gifts are from God including the freedom to choose and reason used for efficiency within it. Nothing satanic here. I am not replacing Christianity with Capitalism. I am setting the efficient economic mechanisms under the guidance of God-given reason and moral principles.

[@andrewmarkmusic]

See my Four Pillars Of A New Earth Commons and my 12-part Winter Solstice Golden Rule series... Also, check out the philosophy of equalism which has its roots in mitigating economic predation.

[@neptasur]

@@insertreference4207 Could you explain how God provides the mechanisms for the efficient distribution of goods?

[@berniejii3739]

Pleas give the definition you are using here. I recognise many of the problems you decry but I don't see how "capitalism" is any kind of agency to cause them. Nor do I know of anyone who claims capitalism to be the total solution to any and all problems. It's merely a component.

[@DominicGudgeon]

pragerU, Shapiro, Rubin and all those other so-called Conservatives constantly apologise for Capitalism. Brian is right in that the majority of mainstream discourse is a confrontation between capitalism and socialism, and furthermore that capitalism is not just a component but a foundational stone of the 'West'. I see pundits and commenters and twitter defending capitalism all the time. By which they mean free market economics backed by a fairly democratic but pliant political class who are there to act as defenders of the economy rather than definers. I believe you have created a fairly narrow definition of Capitalism which might be accurate, but is not the definition in mainstream discourse.

[@patbruen7333]

Up, so he decries Capitalism then has an ad for his business at the end of the speech. So, capitalism is fine for him but not for the rest of us sinners. Clearly he does not know ow what capitalism is. He has created a straw man to blame for excesses of materialism.

[@DominicGudgeon]

Pat Bruen just because you are a part of society does not mean you cannot criticise it. Whenever you want to criticise your government do you first have to leave the country? Besides, capitalism and commerce are two different things. Furthermore, Capitalism is everywhere so pretending that anyone can function, even if that function is to criticise capitalism without participating in it is facile.

[@DominicGudgeon]

A commentator's two cents of common sense I assumed his definition of capitalism because he seemed to think that capitalism wasn’t a major problem. If that’s the case, his definition of capitalism must be pretty narrow. In the same way I could say that “theft” is not a major problem in our society if I keep to a fairly limited definition of what theft is

[@aesop1451]

@A commentator's two cents of common sense The problem is when the people are made to serve the economy rather than the economy serving the people. That's why Trump was popular in 2016 - He was more protectionist than his predecessors, which would reduce the offshoring of thousands of American jobs. Shapiro and other Conservative Inc. figures think it's okay for private companies like Twitter to censor people in spite of their First Amendment rights, because their idol is GDP.

[@scurvydog20]

Capitalism simply produces more of what people say they want it is an amoral system. It is the democratizing of value. Paraphrasing Aristotle it is up to the parents to teach the child what they should want.

[@neptasur]

Yes! I ask people who call themselves "Democratic Socialists" how there could be anything more democratic than voting on the direction of human endeavour with your dollars.

[@scurvydog20]

@@neptasur personally I'm not a fan of public schools as they stand. It really should be that school are certified and then parents choose where to send them based on the school's values. Because right now he's right that not allowing ethics and religion in schools makes agnostic the default that has to be taught

[@neptasur]

@@scurvydog20 Agreed. But how is that distinctively "Capitalist"? If anything, since public education is centrally controlled, it's the opposite of "Capitalist".

[@johnpglackin345]

@@scurvydog20 That's why their should be no government funding of schools. If parents want to send their kids to a Christian school they should pay for themselves. And if atheists want to send their kids to a school that promotes Atheisism than the parents would pay for the school themselves. If parents need help paying for either schools than they can ask for some kind of charitable donation.

[@HIMYMTR]

no, it is up to both parents and the state

[@jetfuelgirl]

You wonderfully put into words something I have felt inside for a long time, but didn't have a way to express so eloquently, thanks for this video.

[@EX58UD]

7:49 unfortunately, we live in economic conditions where, even if there wasn't a pandemic, families need two sources of income to become middle-class. It used to not be this way before the labor market doubled by adding women in the workforce and then unrestricted immigration. Wages have been stagnating for decades.

[@johnpglackin345]

That's why one of the spouses must make a sacrifice and stay home. Once the work force shrinks the business would have to increase the salaries to keep their workers.

[@rettaroo5972]

I agree with John Glackin. The market would adjust if some women took the leap of faith and stayed home or even just worked part time. I was a stay at home mom and it paid off many times over not just in our children’s outcomes but in my ability to provide after school and summer care free of charge for our kids companions whose parents were working. This is extended spiritual family. This is the Catholic way. If you must work find a good family to help with your kids. They are out there at least at Catholic schools.

[@Frank4453]

Exactly, oversaturation in the market either through the inclusion of women or the disastrous effects of mass migration has hurt the American economic landscape.

[@zaneknowlton]

Facts

[@rwatertree]

Many families fall into a double income trap; the extra income gained by having another adult work barely covers the cost of paying other people to look after their children so she can work. Fathers and mothers need to weigh the value of more money against time they could spend together and with their children. Being "middle class" may not be worth it. Living a Catholic/non-materialistic lifestyle could have many economic implications besides women being homemakers. Apart from reducing ones consumption, it would be important to have multiple sources of income so that one person's wages aren't all the family has to rely on. This has political implications because some areas don't allow rental units, fruit trees or kitchen gardens and have minimum lot sizes that inflate the cost of land/housing.

[@windsongshf]

I love that saying, "if you take away people's religion, they will dig in the dirt for idols" I'm very recently looking into Catholicism. I did not grow up with organized religion, and have been told that the Catholic church is full of "idols". I don't think it's the same though as I'm listening more and more.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Glad to have you watching. I hope you find some value in my channel! If you have questions, catholic.com is an incomparable resource. They have a great search engine for common questions. God bless you in your journey!

[@thomas-5417]

I’m glad someone on this planet has common sense

[@Zac-mq4pn]

I would love to see you have a conversation with J.J. McCullough on religion in Canada

[@corporateshill7473]

I appreciate topics like this coming up. Infinite growth, indeed. I know he's hard to bring up in polite society, but EMJ's Barren Metal is an exquisite treatment of this topic.

[@Alexcrack-bn5uy]

I think capitalism is not bad as long people do not put money and market over God, tradition and morality

[@sasi5841]

I can agree with that even though I am somewhat of an An-Cap

[@henrybn14ar]

There are conceptual problems with it. The system is not beyond fixing but the fundamental issues of property rights, credit and banking need to be dealt with.

[@ryanjones5367]

Alex crack 9000 they may say they don’t but they most assuredly do

[@RodrigoMera]

"When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing. They then become capable of believing in anything" -G. K. Chesterton

[@howdydocowgirlcowgirl181]

Capitalism, just like any "ism" can be misused especially if people (ie consumers) aren't vigilant & are "indifferent" until they fall prey to crony capitalism. Perfect remedy: prayer & knowing the Faith & reading writings of the Saints (ie St Thomas Aquinas)

[@kimobrien.]

Just so many holy rollers not worth the time of day. Totally irrelevant to the modern class struggle serving as an opiate of the masses only.

[@iosephignatiusiacobeo3922]

I’m pretty sure the quote in the beginning comes from Chesterton’s “The outline of sanity”

[@HOWardLIA]

Or paraphrasing Tim Keller's idea, if the absolute God was removed from us to worship, we'll create other gods for us to worship.

[@abderite8282]

Can you provide a list of those studies you refer to at 7:30-7:50? What kind of outcomes were the parameters here, and how were they measured?

[@ianwilson1518]

Alright, so what are some viable alternatives?

[@MyRobertallen]

Mr. Holdsworth- the quote whose source you've forgotten is from the beginning of Belloc's Servile State. P.s., Nice guitars

[@carlauclair8748]

Capitalism should never be seen more than just the means of free trade. It's up to individuals to see a car for example as a means of transportation and not to flash wealth/status(lambo).

[@sdcair]

I can recommend Tom Woods' book "The church and the market". This is one of his talks on the topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6mke6CirZeGa5I

[@chernobylcoleslaw6698]

Yep.

[@grangermontag1824]

Tom Woods is a libertarian first and a Catholic second

[@kimobrien.]

@@grangermontag1824 Catholicism is just so much leftover feudal rubbish. Without a feudal class to serve they thrash about like so many soon to be dead fish.

[@grangermontag1824]

@@kimobrien. Unlike Communism which has everything figured out

[@mattnd20]

@Brianholdsworth can you share some of the studies about women staying at home? Thank you and God bless!

[@tMatt5M]

The idea that both parents should work to pay for things they probably don't need while a stranger raises their kids or are under government control for 7 hours a day is ridiculous. How any job for a woman could be more meaningful than a mother is beyond me.

[@mattnd20]

@@tMatt5M I appreciate your thoughts, as a newly married couple expecting our first child soon, these are things to consider. I was simply curious to see the studies he mentioned.

[@KushinLos]

I consider myself as a capitalist, I own the means of production, ie my mind and my body. What i do with it becomes the issue.

[@tubatk421]

Read _Barren Metal_ by E. Michael Jones. A good criticism of Capitalism through the eyes of a Christian. The modern world has been taught that Capitalism and Socialism are antithetical to one another, when in fact, they are two sides of the same coin.

[@neptasur]

In some aspects, sure, but that's like saying Adam Smith and Karl Marx tought the same thing because they both had two feet and one nose. That the masses should vote with their dollars on the direction of human endeavour (Capitalism), is very different from a centrally planned economy (Socialism) where an inept authority calls all the shots. (and, by definition, all "authorities" on large scale phenomena are inept)

[@amare.adonai5464]

True

[@sasi5841]

Marxism is explicitly materialist. So are some _strains_ of capitalism (i.e. neoliberalism)

[@trnslash]

Great book

[@andrewmarkmusic]

There isn't much difference between oligarchic capitalism and state-run capitalism so you're right that they are two sides of the same coin. Jones is also brave enough to say where they came from: the enemies of God...

[@texasranchu8605]

First lol Also, I am curious on your political standing, such as on monarchy vs democracy/republic/authoritarian. Do you align to one of these ideologies?

[@Alexcrack-bn5uy]

@@ForzaJersey a Monarchy is the best option. And more for Catholics

[@g.weg.3723]

ForzaJersey republicanism always falls into evil.

[@elijahclubb4097]

@@g.weg.3723 All Government without God falls to evil.

[@elenamarceline273]

I’m so glad you made this video, I’m currently in college and going through a period of reconnecting with my Catholic faith. This has really made me think about some of the habits and ideas that I have picked up throughout my life. You’ve motivated me to look into these topics more and educate myself

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

Thank you for uploading this video. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a socialist at all (my family is from Poland, so that should be reason enough) but I've noticed this trend that many Catholic social media personalities are becoming more and more concerned with pleasing American conservatives (who are more libertarian than truly conservative at this point) and as a result of this are becoming similar in style to Daily Wire and the like, rather than being authentically Catholic. Always remember that americanism is a heresy deeply rooted in Protestant and enlightenment values. Btw, what's the name of the music you use in your videos? I can't find it on Paul Jernberg's website.

[@TheBookgeek7]

I entirely agree with what you said, here! My question, then, is this: what would be a good, viable, economic alternative to both Capitalism & Socialism? I have some ideas- I'd combine Distributism's notion of Guilds & Private Property, with Capitalism's delicious tendency towards Aristocracy- but, what would you suggest?

[@Hieronymus864]

Thank you Brian! Love your videos. I hope your problem with the two homes and mortgages has been resolved by now? (Even as Catholics we are not immune to worrying about material challenges 😉). May God bless you and your family.

[@jamesmartello1]

The quote is, "The problem is Capitalism is that there are far too few Capitalists." - Chesterton. The meaning being, that too few people are able to participate in the market economy, not that Capitalism is bad. In fact, the Church condemns what we call "crony capitalism" and not actual Capitalism, which ensures the economic rights, freedoms, and human dignity that the Church explicitly endorses such as individual property ownership, upward mobility and achievement, dignity of work, etc.

[@darrelldw713]

Chesterton also said, "If you get rid of the supernatural, what remains is the unnatural."

[@ipso-kk3ft]

Brilliant! I remember reading about this problem of Catholics being classed into various economic ideologies

[@kimobrien.]

Basically catholicism is the remnants of the ideological justification for feudalism is just so much left over rubbish which is why it is more and more irrelevant to the modern world.

[@truth.beauty.and.goodness]

I loved these two videos. You should interview Dr. E. Michael Jones. I'd LOVE to hear you two talk!

[@alexanastasiadis2592]

The Church actually endorses an economic system called Corporatism, in which all sectors of society are still separate and not completely equal like in Socialism, but all sectors of society like industry, agriculture, banking etc. work productively together to make a better nation as a whole while still allowing private property. This is what I follow.

[@martaacosta4415]

You are so right about everything, Brian, but especially about the fact that children turn out so much better in every way (academically, professionally, socially, etc.) when one parent (especially mom) stays home and one income is sacrificed. I won’t bore any reader or viewer with my personal story, but I will say that when I went to work (at my husband’s insistence) family life went downhill. Nothing has been found to supplant the traditional nuclear family, with the mother nurturing children and maintaining the home and hearth. Today people above all desire sexual freedom and, secondly, material wealth, mainly because it helps in achieving sexual freedom.

[@caseycampbell1386]

I love how you end with “if you liked... want to consume more content...” 😂

[@kimobrien.]

Worthless crap leftover from the days of feudal landlords keeping the peasant serfs in check for the masters.

[@dondeangelo8217]

The sad truth is that Adam Smith wasn't making a demand that humans adhere to an "ideology" but was rather making an "enlightened" observation of how wealth is generated. The principles of economics are statements of how wealth is created when the government stays out of it -- hence "liberal" economics - laissez faire. Adam Smith also published a work on morality. His point was that if you want wealth there are universal truths as to how this happens (the invisible hand). If want that growth to do good things then you must embrace and promote moral teachings (for Smith Judeo-Christian ones). Once we understand this reality we have a better discussion and we make the best choices.

[@TheJuddly]

Please someone tell me where Brian gets the music from!!!

[@corporateshill7473]

*Third Way has entered the chat.*

[@FanofAslan]

One of your best amongst a fine crop. Many thanks.

[@nicholasdolinger6745]

Hahahahaha society went thousands of years without capitalism or socialism why does everyone think these are our only two options? Epic video Brian very based

[@atruechristianforlife7787]

Hanskung what his trying to say is... People now a days associated themselves with one side or other and forget to see the Hypocrisy on both sides.

[@solank7620]

Nicholas Dolinger What we really need is not socialism, but pro-socialism. An encouragement of pro social behavior, and a discouragement of anti social behavior. And we need to understand that our so called capitalistic system has incredibly parasitical megacorporations. Too many massive businesses that do not actually benefit their societies. This is largely why the West is being rapidly third worldified. You can’t spend so many social resources in such parasitic corporations without impoverishing your society. And also the elephant in the room - the Fed. Which is a straight con job. Fiat d e b t based c u r r e n c y is legal counterfeiting, and our true rulers are not who we are told. But the oligarch cabal that owns the Fed. The Fed is above the government. It is not a government agency, more like the other way around. The government is a Fed collection agency.

[@FirstNameLastName-is6yb]

Read siege

[@brianbrooks1025]

It’s all about free trade!

[@rumblebeast08]

Society had thousands of years of premature death, poor health, war, ruling by kings/queens, etc... It's not like it was all that great throughout that period of time. Capitalism has made the lives of ALL individuals better than ever before. The primary problem is not that Capitalism is so bad...it's not a system of morality. The problem is that people lost their morality and Capitalism just provides the means to fill the gap (i.e.: materialism, perversion, etc...). Capitalism is choice; aka, free will. Christianity is based on free will. Socialism is force. I know which one I pick.

[@jalenbartlett5287]

Hey Brian. What is the chant you play near the end? The name escapes me.

[@cjb8010]

I think you should do a Part II on this topic, exploring the birth of capitalism (which was actually a pejorative applied to free-market economies after Karl Marx wrote Das Kapital). Adam Smith in 1776 wrote Wealth of Nations. He was a moral philosopher, not an economist. He did indeed include a moral dimension in what came to known as “capitalism.”

[@jamesalewis]

Our system of economy should promote as best as possible our end as humans, and I have always held that the system that best supports our end is a free market with the minimum oversight. That is, to allow people to be as free as possible to exchange and serve each other. Is this not capitalism? It sounds as though you think not, and so what is a definition of capitalism?

[@pottingsoil]

* Purdue pharma enters the chat*

[@g.weg.3723]

You didn’t make an argument, you just said what you e always believed. Read rerum novarum by Leo 13

[@kingbaldwiniv5409]

Normally Brian, I really enjoy the deep insights and understanding you provide in your videos. I sometimes will take notes in fact. Most recently I took notes on your Aquinas and Communion in the Hand videos. This video had a number of things that are factually untrue in the fields of economics and politics and lacked a certain degree of intellectual integrity on the other side of this issue. First, great call on outing the "hierarchy of human needs" as a simple consumerist definition of humanity. I have always found it so, as well as being antiseptic. Either way, entirely unworthy on the whole. Unfortunately both Chesterton and Belloc, widely admired by me in each case normally, were Distributists. Distributism by Belloc's definition (also understood by Chesterton) included the compulsory redistribution of property and wealth by a central authority. That is called Socialism. It was all the rage at the time in late 19th and early 20th century Britain (Progressive Era), so it is hardly to be expected that these two would not be effected. As a Catholic, I ABSOLUTELY define right and wrong in terms defined and articulated by the Catholic Church. Using this as our guide however provides us a challenge. On one hand, people like Dorothy Day and Leonardo Boff claim Catholicism, while both were ardent Socialists if not Communists. Their positions are mutually exclusive with the basic tenants of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in terms of private property, the family, and subsidiarity. Defining Capitalism as falling short of providing the opportunity for eudaimonia only implicates the person making the classification, not the system. This is because a Capitalist system is not authoritarian. In order to maintain a free market system (really what people mean when they say Capitalism), it REQUIRES the family unit to be salient in terms of property and freedom. Both John Paul II and Christopher Dawson were plainly not speaking to the merits of the issue. They ascribe to both systems faults as if both systems enforced with authority their interests yet accomplished the same ends. This is plainly untrue. To this end, you accused Capitalism of "not addressing the moral implications of the ends (which it advocates)". The difference here between the two proposed systems is that only one compels you to an end against your interests. Socialism. Pornography, prostitution, and AIDS spread like wildfire in the USSR, Cuba, and other Socialist states. The "corrupt and evil" Capitalist US gives more to charity (even in per capita numbers) than any other country in the world. You maintain the ability to make individual value decisions (good or bad) in Capitalist systems, the same is not true in Socialist systems. If you wish to solve this issue of good or bad decisions, you would need to remove the ability for people to exchange goods for goods/services for services/etc. That's called authoritarianism, not Catholicism. Capitalism is NOT a social doctrine. It is an economic system that has social and political effects. There are Capitalist Buddhist states, Protestant states, Catholic states, Orthodox states, even Muslim states and secular states. How is this possible? It is because Capitalism doesn't care about social doctrine. Economics is a science, not just a good idea. Capitalism ensures basic aspects of natural law that lazy politicos like to dismiss like self-defense, subsidiarity, freedom of one's property and person, freedom of association, and the right to pursue the divine. You complain about people's depraved choices in the US/Canada, but observe the same subjects since Vatican 2 vs. before hand. Don't blame freedom for bad choices, blame the poor compass which directs where they should go. Catholicism was GROWING in the US before V2. America was Capitalist from its inception, yet it only became debauched later. I would argue that poor direction and weak formation created these maladies, not freedom to dispose my own property. The logical leap is extremely broad to blame freedom for bad decisions. My wife and I both decline more money for other things we value more: more appropriate raising of our families, better work environments, pro bono charitable efforts, more involvement in parish and diocese life, helping to provide for family and others. We are EVIL Capitalists, yet we choose ever yday to deny pure cash as our highest valued commodity. Most Americans deny cash as their highest valued commodity, the difference is that cash follows their highest valued commodities, usually their children, their businesses, whatever they chase with the most of their time and money. The more free the market is, the more significant the enrichment of the general population becomes. A very good book on this is "The Progressive Era", a collection of writings from Murray Rothbard. There are many more from the likes of Hayek and von Mises, but it is a myth that the more tightly controlled the distribution, the more the masses will be enriched. Dr. Tom Woods has very good works on these issues. How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, The Church and the Market: A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy and The Church Confronts Modernity are all very helpful. Interestingly, Edward Bernstein (1850-1932) and Jean Jaures (1859-1914) formed the Revisionist school of socialism. They had noted the misjudgments Marx made about the developments of Capitalism. The Capitalist class was increasing, not decreasing. As societies were becoming more capitalist, the lot of the proletariat was improving, not getting worse. Capitalists were evolving and becoming less exploitative (per the socialists’ opinions). Revolutionary socialism began to seem poorly suited to this. As a result, they encouraged an evolutionary method of achieving socialism. They began the Democratic Socialist Movement. It would work gradually through existing European political systems. In the US, previous failure of the Socialist Labor Party under Daniel De Leon and Bib Bill Haywood was based on Marx’s violent revolution. Americans Eugene V. Debs and Norman Thomas’ Socialist party carved a niche in the American political sphere that remains to this day in Democratic Socialism. Socialism is not the opposite of Capitalism, it is the lesser. It is a more primitive, authoritarian, insecure, and purely physical alternative. It presupposes the ill intention of those with any capital and uses that as a pretext by which to remove the capital. The capital will then be distributed to others. It by definition compels human decision making against the will of the individual. This malforms the human soul and conscience. Everything is “someone else’s problem”, “the state has a program for that, don’t they?”, and “I look after my own”. Socialist states give the least in charity coincidentally. From the earliest days of Socialism, names like Rousseau, Bentham, Mill, Claude Henri Saint-Simon (1760-1825), and Charles Fourier (1772-1837) formed the positions still fought for to this day in the revolutions. Socialism is illicit in Catholicism. Part of this is because it has and still advocates i. A central banking system that would make social investments, Elimination of property inheritance, Universal compulsory government education, opposition to Religion generally, Marriage, The family, The structure of society under capitalism, The nation state (instead favoring multitudes of small, politically independent, self-sustaining communal entities). Free market economics preclude NONE of Catholicism whereas Socialism denies even the existence of God as a matter of doctrine, let alone the family, the Church, marriage, and the ability to will your property to your descendants. To place the two on even footing for Catholics is intellectually dishonest.

[@ambruskocsis6559]

You said that "agnosticism [...] treats something that is fundamental to our humanity as an afterthought or something that is not worth considering or addressing" and that "avoiding the question is actually an answer to the question". I think you may misunderstand what "agnosticism" means. Agnosticism is the simple view that the existence of God (or the supernatural) is unknown and/or unknowable. Both atheists and Christians often try to smear this as a lazy or cowardly stance taken by only those who are not willing to really consider the Big Questions. But many agnostics DO consider them and came to the conclusion that these are not questions we can - at least currently- answer in a satisfying way. It takes a great deal of humility for anyone to admit that they simply don't know. Of course, we can strive to do the best we can with what we have and to trust in what we understand. But when we overextend that trust into belief, we are refusing to accept that we might be wrong. As you said: "[...] there are plenty of people who believe that in any question of truth we are to pick a spot on the infallible spectrum of left or right." You also said that you "fundamentally reject that notion". Agnostics do the same. Yet when it comes to belief in God, you treat their stance as avoidant and uncaring.

[@dreamsideout7831]

Lots of work and thought goes into your vids. We have a true King who on the one hand says "store up treasure in heaven" while on the other hand asks , why do you worry about you will eat. And the first "Catholics" had all things in common. ...you as always make me think.

[@husq48]

"I don't have an answer." Well then, until you do...

[@HerotPM]

I think you said it best when you said that it is at best an incomplete worldview. That is exactly correct. Economic positions are not meant to be a complete worldview, they are an economic view. No one expects that to be a comprehensive world view. I say this with respect because I love your videos and your balanced, well thought out take on everything, but I think you might have forgotten to apply your own point in there. That being said, I do agree the word capitalism is not a good word to identify with. What we have could be called capitalism, but there are two things called capitalism: 1. Corporatism/Guild Socialism 2. The Free Market We have the former. Unfortunately, many criticize capitalism both as though it is the free market and as if that is what we have, which is unfair since we have the former definition of capitalism. The free market is just a respect for the inviolability of property rights, something that is part of Catholic Tradition. But it should never be taken as a complete world view. It is part of natural law, which includes a much larger framework for ethics. As Catholics, we should go even further than the natural law, but we should never violate it. I love your videos. Keep making more.

[@monicakryska9708]

Thank you Brian. whenever I do the CBC quiz that will slot folks onto the graph of fiscal conservative/liberal vs social conservative/liberal....I end up in the qudarant that has absolutely no candidates/parties....maybe that is where Catholicism finds itself!! It makes casting the ballot rather challenging. God bless you in all your endeavors.

[@Krehfish534]

I will always watch content by someone who refers to Mr. Pratt as "Christopher." Top tier.

[@HeloIV]

Too many people think that economic systems should be some sort of moral guidance or meaning. It's exactly when they are given those attributes when they cause most harm, it gives moral authority to the market or the state. Capitalism I think it's the most neutral system therefore the best we have, it's up to the individual, guided by good principles, to make the moral choices that bring prosperity without causing harm or misery to others.

[@henrybn14ar]

Capitalism is rooted in private ownership of land and lending of money for interest. The earth's is the Lord's and usury has been repeatedly forbidden.

[@Unclenate1000]

@@henrybn14ar private ownership is a fundamental human right, as is the right to freely interact with others and trade resources freely, which includes financial capital, which isnt actually a moral issue being what your religion arbitrarily condemns it to be

[@peterjanssen5901]

Just little side not pertaining to the movie "Passengers" Those who like sci-fi movies like this, ye might like to try "Silent Running" (1972) , "The Quiet Earth" (1985) of to a lesser but hilarious extend the British Sci-fi comedy series "Red Dwarf"

[@angievalful]

this channel is SO good👏🏻👍🏻

[@gerryman2345]

What is the name of the music from this channel?

[@FakeCrisRealTyranny]

Refreshing perspective, and makes perfect sense.

[@MrSpiritmike]

I like this topic and agree with you with the exception of the definition and understanding of capitalism. It's not your fault because hardly anyone realizes that we don't currently have capitalism. We have corporatism. Capitalism is when small to midsize businesses are on an equal playing field with large corporations. As far as your assessment of your mistake for capitalism, which is corporatism, I agree with you. Remember, early capitalism in America was tied intrinsically with the morality of the Ten Commandments and Christian virtues. The whole premise of the separation of Church and State was any powerful social network which had too much influence on policy would be detrimental to the citizens and the nation. Being Catholic, I love the religion which is divine but the Church is human. Eventually, the original idea of capitalism in America needed the morality of the Bible without a social superpower to potentially corrupt it. But like England being over influenced by the central bank and the West Indian Trading Company, corporations in America rose to super powers. It went unnoticed because they were invested in the solvency of the standard of living for US citizens and its National Security. Eventually, the large corporations became too globally invested and now their influence of power is a conflict of interest. The only path to truth is to restore a level playing field with true capitalism, coupled with a universal morality. We must eliminate conflict of interest in government and restore and embrace morality!

[@ivanhamilton]

I know you are not going to respond to this but first do know Ayn Rand if so what do think of here views on capitalism

[@avemaria4788]

Song at beginning?

[@MsCharlieTramp]

agnosticism is not avoiding the question is just aknowledge that you can not answer that question, but can keep wondering.

[@tbe9790]

I’m sorry, but I respectfully disagree with your stance in this video. The whole question of capitalism vs. socialism is not a question on which is *right*, but which is *better* since they are only two of the few economic systems we have. It’s a question on how we as a society distribute wealth and goods, since we as human creatures cannot survive without basic necessities. It’s a given that every system created by mere non-divine humans will always have problems. Just as the topic of cooking or cleaning have no basis in morality or religion, economics is only one facet of a person’s life. The point of the debate isn’t which method is right, but which is better, which is why I’m disappointed you didn’t have a conclusion to the debate. Capitalism does indeed have its problems, but my stance is: out of all the systems, it’s the best we’ve got. I’m very sorry, but it feels like this video lacks a concrete point or solution, while hiding behind the facade of “I’m just Catholic”.

[@ryang7759]

good points. we are faced with questions of a pragmatic nature every day, and if there is usefulness in a group of ideas that we call "capitalism" and no better solutions are being presented at the time, let's use that group of ideas.

[@patty4349]

Actually it is not an either/or proposition. Most economies are mixed economies, containing elements of both systems. When the economy tips too far one way or the other it ultimately becomes untenable and damaging to the people who live in the country.

[@lisandroCT]

@@patty4349 The problem is that "solutions" in between always slip towards socialism. It's _the fallacy of the third way_ as Mises called it. Either you have freedom and market solutions or you don't. Every position that claimed to be in-between throughout history, failed miserably.

[@aesop1451]

If you're going to be a capitalist, then it's better to be a protectionist/mercantilist, than a laissez-faire capitalist. Free trade is what caused the offshoring of thousands of American jobs to Third World countries. President Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the rest of the Federalist Party were pro-tariff. The United States had some of the highest tariffs in the world until free traders like Woodrow Wilson and FDR came to power. Laissez-faire also leads to materialism and consumerism. That is why so many corporations changed their social media rainbow for Pride Month. It's good to read the encyclicals about Catholic social doctrine to have a grounded view about what the economy should look like. It's better to refer to those than atheistic economic philosophers.

[@lisandroCT]

@@aesop1451 I'm from Argentina and I can guarantee you, from experience, that the opposite is true. Protectionism, to begin with, destroys every incentive. If you don't have competition, then you don't have production growth, then you end up with worse and more expensive goods. And it's the people who pay the cost, not the protected corporation that doesn't need to be competitive to stay in market. The rich people, on the other hand, will always be able to "escape" to those other better products. Also, when you don't have a truly free market, you don't have free access to the products and _that's_ what encourages materialism. In here we're not allowed to have iPhones because of protectionist rules, and I don't know any other place where having an iPhone (even an old one) is sooooo desired by (mostly) the low classes. And we all end up with worse and more expensive products except the rich. Protectionism just destroys _all_ the incentives _and_, in consequence, the economy.

[@1Cheribaby]

I’m a Catholic too. God Bless you....and thank you for all of your videos

[@piercekelly20]

I do understand where he is coming from. Does anyone know an alternate system that might come close to satisfying our Catholic beliefs?

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Distributism was an attempt to formulate something based on Catholic Social Teaching.

[@66605]

For those interested in economics and Catholicism Tom Woods "The Church and the Market" is a great read. In the book he defends the common sense notion that a free economy is in keeping with Catholic moral principles. It is sad to see how bad Catholic writers and thinkers can be when it comes to economics.

[@manzimfura]

I love it ! Thanks a lot again for the video

[@angeloleone9793]

I would say, this is brilliant, doing so, Iwould leave out God. This is inspired and. inspiring. Please, continue this most needed conversation.

[@DavidelCientificoLoco]

Its Chris Prat glad i can help gid bless and may you have a wonderfull day!

[@review4u791]

Brian - You might want to read "The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism" (1991) by Catholic writer Michael Novak. Peace to you.

[@canadadelendaest8687]

A government should make economic decisions, and decide which businesses may operate, around the notion of what is good for its people, not what is profitable.

[@stevemillerecon]

I had to like this video because it is so thoughtful. It's not that the aim of capitalism is profit and growth. That is the natural result. But capitalism has no particular aim, it serves the goals of consumers (not producers, as so many imagine). And consumers want many good things. They also want many bad things. There is another side, though. The mere constraint of private property rights leads capitalist markets to reward many virtues and punish many vices. But not all. Piety is not rewarded by markets, but to a great degree humility is. Pride is certainly punished. Prudence, patience, wisdom, and even temperance are rewarded, especially in financial markets - the most "capitalist" of all markets according to critics. The "discipline of repeated dealings" rewards reputations for honesty, fairness, and even compassion. However, that is not enough. Do markets reward faith, love, and charity? Arguably not. Several key virtues require earthly nourishment from the Church and family. Certain kinds of courage are rewarded in markets, and others are not. We do need more. We need a richer community than markets can provide, one that brings us closer to God. All this suggests that capitalism is necessary but not sufficient for human flourishing.

[@christophersnedeker]

I'd disagree that it serves the goals of consumers. The basic mechanism of capitalism is to buy raw materials, machinery and man-power to produce a product or service, then sell that product or service for more then you payed to produce it, then reinvest that surplus in more raw materials, machinery and man-power thus growing your business. The probelem with capitalism isn't just that people are greedy, it is that the most greedy who do everything they can to maximize profits will grow their business the most and push their less greedy competition to the margines or out of business entirely, and that's why there's so much abuse of employees, pollution, unsafe products, products designed to break so you have to buy more, unsafe working conditions, big business influence on government ect. The owner of capital may be a good person who doesn't want to do any of these things, but the fear that his business will be undercut by the competition will drive him to it. Perhaps if humans were unfallen no one would ever be tempted to do any of these things and we wouldn't have to worry about the bad people rising to the top but we don't live in that world. Our probelem isn't just that some people are excessivly greedy, our problem is we have a system that consistently rewards prioritizing persute of profit above all else.

[@Airman1121]

Have you done any research into Distributism? It is apparently based on Catholic Social teaching. I would definitely concur that materialism is not the ideal we should be pursuing. At the moment, Capitalism seems to be the lesser of two evils if forced to choose between it and Socialism.

[@haythamkenway8675]

"The problem with socialism is that it concentrates the majority of wealth and power in the hands of a minority"

[@ryang7759]

Merriam Webster defines socialism as "any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods." By definition, socialism concentrates production and distribution of goods and services into the hands of a ruling elite. That would be fine if that ruling elite were morally perfect, and endlessly capable of solving problems of distributing finite resources, logistics, etc, but in the real world your quotation is true.

[@Unclenate1000]

nah it is though

[@haythamkenway8675]

@@ryang7759 in the citation YOU JUST PROVIDED it says "collective ownership". That is the exact opposite of concentrated wealth and power.

[@ofthecaribbean]

@@haythamkenway8675 In the process of collectivization, there is always a transitory period where the means of production is taken out of the hands of the individual and redistributed. The people in charge of that always skew the numbers in their favor. They distribute everything to themselves and their friends. Good luck doing anything in China or Venezuela or Mexico if you're not in bed with the ruling elite

[@luisaymerich9675]

@@haythamkenway8675 Collective ownership is the idea. The reality is that the ruling minority controls the wealth and decide how it is distributed.

[@LomuHabana]

Studies also,show that kids where both parents are working but still have the means and time to provide for them. You don’t need a stay at home mom (although that is certainly a possibility), you just need parents who care about you and have time to be with you.

[@wendyhong8528]

Love it! Thanks, Brian!

[@TheApsodist]

Those LPs in the background 🥰

[@batman5224]

To me, I think there are good and bad aspects of all economic systems. Human beings are flawed, and because humans created economics, all economic systems will also be flawed. Capitalism can only survive because of consumerism, and consumerism, by its very nature, feeds on the sinful desires of humans. Motivated by consumerism, parents search for work outside of their homes, often neglecting their children in the process. I’m not against work, but we should try to better our own lives, not the lives of corporations. In that respect, I believe UBI would help free parents from their employers. It’s not a perfect solution, but it would help.

[@TSliw]

I've not yet been able to watch, but I encourage you to check out the work of Tradistae (tradistae.com and @tradistae on Twitter) for anti-Capitalism, anti-Marxist Catholic social teaching work. EDIT: OK, so I got to watch it and I don't disagree with much. One place I think you could have been stronger on was the idea of women working outside the home (and I'm not trying to poke the hornet's nest about whether is a sin or not). Your right in that the "free market"/"capitalism" doesn't cause it in and of itself just as centrally planned economies don't cause famine; but no system is value neutral. The values hardwired into capitalism and actually written into law dictate that the purpose/end/telos of a corporation is profit maximization so there is a fiduciary responsibility to fulfill that end. This can be done in a number of ways but one way is to not pay a just wage and this then can lead to mothers needing to work outside the home.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

Brilliant.

[@levisando]

A key thing for viewers to note is that you're not decrying the idea of individuals being able to possess and trade capital, but rather, the idea that said capital should be "directed toward making the greatest possible profits" (as the Cambridge Dictionary defines capitalism). Private capital and trade isn't the problem, it's when profit is the number one priority that is the problem.

[@mchristr]

I'm a "capitalist" in that human labor has value but not so when business decisions strive only to increase "stakeholder" value. A true idea of value can never be divorced from our soul needs.

[@dutchboyslim5951]

What do you think of Distributivism?

[@iadenicole931]

You are very eloquent and logical.

[@Domtronic]

Catholic is not a financial system. You evaded the question.

[@vkolo3388]

I do not if anyone has mentioned it but you might want to look at Michael Novak's "The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism." Not a perfect work but challenging..

[@Mokinono45]

Go read Tom Wood's book, The Church and the Market.

[@scottwilliams3595]

I'm not a socialist, but I'm not a capitalist. What I believe is in a free-market as a catholic. The free-market isn't the same as Capitalism. Let me explain, in a capitalist society, investments come from large groups of people into a select few business. Those business are able to lower their prices in one area to drive out competition and once the competition is gone they raise their prices to what the market demands and repeat the process in another area. Great example of that is Walmart. The money more often than not, does not stay in that local community. I'm not saying that none of it stays, ie employment, but that is too often the extent of it and the vast majority of it leaves the area. Most of the time, you get a one size fits all in the products, you get very little, if any, personalized touches, employees don't take time to get to know their customers and the sense of community is lost. In a free-market society, the investments come from the local people who invest by patreon the business or help financially to start the business. These business may get some support from big companies in the way of suppliers but the individual owners make the bulk of the money and that money goes back into the local economy through employment, local banking and patreon of other business. This type of market builds communities, friendships, personalization and a strong local economy.

[@xhenifromtheblock5812]

When he contrasted the substance addictions that were prevalent during his adolescence to the current consumption of pornography, it made me think that social media needs to be included in this comparison. It saddens me so much to think about the youth of today mindlessly scrolling through their Instagram feeds, searching for substance and meaning. It’s such a hollow existence, and it seems like that’s the only way young people today absorb any semblance of “culture”.. no art, no intellectual or philosophical pursuits.. just a warped version of reality, delivered through airbrushed pictures and staged video clips.

[@splattered63]

Capitalism has dragged billions out of poverty, stopped multiple millions apon millions from starvation unlike communism that has over 100 million deaths directly attributed to it, the number is probably a lot higher if true numbers of Chinese who starved under Mao were known. You only have to look at India right now to see how capitalism is creating a huge middle class and ten's of millions are being lifted up from complete poverty. Yes there are big problems with crony capitalism and greed but compared to the communist alternative, capitalism is the best system available. Free market innovation is the key to success of any society. Communism is the God of the people and no worship of any deity apart from the state party is allowed. I think a free capitalist society is the best system available for sure.

[@levisando]

You make it sound like there's only two options

[@levisando]

@Gabriel Kempf I think it's more nuanced than that.

[@user-so3gw3yd3t]

Thanks you very much ❤️❤️❤️ from the holy Land

[@t3knoman00]

Amen, I am neither as well...

[@canadiancid123]

Capita;ism in not inherently evil. JPII is specific about attributing two definitions to capitalism. One- is when unrestrained capitalism is permitted in practice then that is less than ideal and can subject society to many evils. Two- is restrained capitalism where the excesses of capitalism are controlled by the natural law and free markets can work for Man.

[@cademiclips]

Great take.

[@mrDjuroman]

This was really really well said

[@justus005]

Should also talk with Tom Woods about this subject.