[FR] An economy on a human scale

An economy on a human scale. This broad theme has been constantly debated by the Social Weeks for decades. Economic figures are changing and profound changes are affecting the economy, but this concern remains central to the social doctrine of the Church.

To address this theme in the contemporary world, I suggest we start with the distinction made by Benedict XVI in his first encyclical (‘God is Love’) between justice and charity. With regard to justice in particular, Benedict XVI clarifies our duties as individuals and as a society.

“Justice is the goal and also the intrinsic measure of all politics. Politics is more than a mere technique for defining public order: its origin and purpose are found precisely in justice, and this is of an ethical nature. ‘

To seek justice precisely is to place oneself in the perspective of an economy at the service of the person. But let us consolidate our starting point by clearly defining the concept of the person as defined by the social doctrine of the Church.1 This doctrine emphasises the unity of the person, who is a whole: ’corpore et anima unus”.