Is Pope Francis a Socialist?

Socialism is a social and economic system characterised by social ownership of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy, as well as a political theory and movement that aims at the establishment of such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to cooperative enterprises, common ownership, state ownership, citizen ownership of equity, or any combination of these. There are many varieties of socialism and there is no single definition encapsulating all of them. They differ in the type of social ownership they advocate, the degree to which they rely on markets or planning, how management is to be organised within productive institutions, and the role of the state in constructing socialism.

-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

Egalitarianism (from French égal, meaning "equal")—or, rarely, equalitarianism or equalism—is a trend of thought that favors equality for all people. Egalitarian doctrines maintain that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or social status, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term has two distinct definitions in modern English. It is defined either as a political doctrine that all people should be treated as equals and have the same political, economic, social, and civil rights or as a social philosophy advocating the removal of economic inequalities among people or the decentralization of power. Some sources define egalitarianism as the point of view that equality reflects the natural state of humanity.

-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egalitarianism

I scared myself for a moment.  I read the definition of "socialism" and thought I had an issue with my own usage.  Well, yes and no.  I use it correctly when I say the current administration in this country is hell bent on turning us toward a socialist/communist form of government.  Where I err is defending Pope Francis.

People slam Pope Francis for having socialist ideals.  I found Francis, like Christ, would like to see everyone taken care of, especially the poor.  But, this is not socialism, and those that accuse him of believing in socialist ideology may be in error.  Pope Francis is actually espousing the values of "egalitarianism."

Reading the two definitions one might argue that there is not much difference between socialism and egalitarianism.  Take a closer look.  Socialism deals with social, cooperative, common, and state ownership of enterprises, whereas egalitarianism, even as a political doctrine, deals primarily with how people are treated.

I think we constantly confuse these.  Truth be known, conservative and liberals also differ greatly where socialism is concerned.  Conservatives want everything liberals want, but they differ on how to go about paying for it.  I think they can both camps are onboard with egalitarian philosophy that "equality reflects the natural state of humanity," but, once again, they differ in how to go about achieving it.  

I know my thoughts on socialist and egalitarian differences are simplistic, the subject can quickly become as boring as waiting for California blackworms make love, but I'll set my thoughts down anyway so you can mull them over.  Egalitarianism and socialism have two common problems:  Economic sustainability and getting the majority of the poor to climb aboard and give up their entitlement attitudes.  In the truly socialist or communist state everyone is poor and everyone is expected to work.  The only people that have money and position are the politicians, and corruption is rampant.  The problem, which history has proven out, is there comes a point when money runs out and people get tired of working their butts off and getting nowhere while watching their leaders and the criminal element get ahead and live the good life.  The endpoint is usually presented as revolution, collapse of society, collapse of the economy, or any/all of the above.

.So, is Pope Francis a socialist?  I don't think so.  The pope just wants what Jesus wanted, and why wouldn't he?  Like Jesus he is a man of Christian faith and follows the precepts of scripture.  To accuse him of following his faith would be like accusing a quarterback of playing football.  I don't think the pope is a socialist any more than I think most people are.  But I do believe we all have some identification with egalitarian philosophy.  Where we differ is how to go about it.



Editor's Note:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Pastor Frank Anthony Villari

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of "The Path," the Congregation's official blogsite.