rerum norvarum

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In 1891, Pope Leo XIII had published his encyclical Rerum Novarum. It was released during a time of vast change in Europe. He was very concerned about the social change and communism that was spreading. In the encyclical, Pope Leo talked about many important topics. The main themes were the common good, role of state, and labor and capitol.
The beginning of the encyclical is about how revolutionary regulations refocused from politics to finances. The outcome of this is corruption of morals. It examines the rights of the rich and the poor correspondingly. He wants to find a solution for the cruel laws imposed on the workers and to take away the greed of the rich people. In this case, the socialists are unjust to both the rich and the poor, which is misrepresenting the state.
Pope Leo states that a man should be able to satisfy his needs all the time and not just temporarily. A man should have the right to own his own property so he can support his family on his own continually. A worker must do the work that he freely agrees upon. He clarifies that denying a man this right is unjust. Owning private property is seen as a natural law and is based upon one of the commandments. The state does not have the right by taking away our property by taxing us excessively. If there is a problem within the family it is against that the government to intrude and take control of the family’s business. If the family is seeking aid, the state may help. The natural law of private ownership is a problem that should be settled.
The rich and the working class rely on each other, just as the capitol and labor also. By having both cooperate with each other will promote stability in society. Within the paper it states that the workers should be res...

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... open mind to every being. One thing is for sure I will not let myself be taken for granted. Also I will not let myself be awarded less than I have earned. Good things do not come easy unless you work for it.
In my opinion everyone should read this document. Although the way it is written, it is harder to understand. If it was written in a more modern English, I feel others and me as well would be able to understand it more. Reading this document will open someone’s mind up for better understandings of our rights we are entitled too. There should be consequence for people who are mistreated. Working conditions today should be equal and just for everyone. Pope Leo has great explanations for why everyone should have equal treatment. By being rich or poor will not make you into who you are. You shape yourself to be who you are through learning from your experiences.

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