checks and balances 53Catholic
The social and political philosophy of the Roman
Catholic Church, the largest CHRISTIANchurch in the
Western world. The general Catholic view of society
and politics derives from the writings of its great the-
ologians St. AUGUSTINEand St. Thomas AQUINAS. St.
Augustine provided the first systematic Christian
political theory in his book The City of God,in which
he develops the idea of the The Two Cities (The City
of Man or all worldly governments and The City of
God or the eternal heavenly realm). St. Thomas
Aquinas’s Summa Theologicalooks at politics through
three levels of LAW: (1) divine law; (2) NATURAL LAW;
and (3) human law. Both Augustinian and Thomist
political thought informs Catholic teaching on politics,
society, economics, the family, international relations,
and Christians’ relations to the secular world.
A dominant theme in Catholic political thought is
its universality, its claim to apply to all the world’s peo-
ples at all times in history. The term catholicmeans
“universal” and means that the Christian church tran-
scends nationalities, languages, and regions. Christians
are united by the spirit of Christ, regardless of
national, ethnic, or language difference. This idea of a
catholic church contrasts with both pagan tribal reli-
gions and the Christian churches identified with a spe-
cific region or country (such as Greek Orthodox,
Russian Orthodox, or the Church of England).
During the MIDDLE AGES, Catholic political thought
became closely associated with European monarchies
(in France, Spain, England, etc.) through CANON LAW.
So, when REPUBLICANpolitical revolutions occurred in
those countries, Catholic political theory was often
rejected along with the MONARCHY. But the Catholic
Church, primarily through papal encyclicals or political
documents by the pope, applied Catholic teachings to
MODERN politics. Pope Leo XIII, in the encyclical
Inscrutabili(1878), affirmed the relevance of traditional
Catholic political truth in the Modern DEMOCRATIC,
industrial world. In the encyclical Libertas(1888), he
established basic Catholic doctrine on the family, rela-
tions between CHURCH AND STATE, and economics in the
West. In these and other encyclicals, the pope affirmed
the family as the basic unit of society, the sin of racism,
the need for world peace, the morality of allowing reli-
gious pluralism, and the legitimacy of democracy. In
1931, Pope Pius XI’s encyclical Quadragesimo anno
advanced the need for SOCIAL JUSTICEand social charity
and that the government should promote the common
good of the society, including ensuring the economic
well being of all segments of society. In 1963, Pope
John XXIII affirmed the Catholic doctrine of the dig-
nity of human individuals, “for men are redeemed by
the blood of Jesus Christ, they are by grace the children
and friends of God and heirs of eternal glory” (Pacem in
terris). The last pope of the 20th century, John Paul II,
has written extensively on Catholic social and political
thought. With the collapse of COMMUNISMin Russia and
Eastern Europe, John Paul II has emphasized that nei-
ther SOCIALISMnor CAPITALISMare ideal systems but
should be subordinated to God’s truth. In the United
States of America, the Catholic bishops have published
several pastoral letters on political matters from opposi-
tion to nuclear war and abortion to favoring social pro-
grams for the poor.
So Catholic political thought is an evolving, pro-
gressive doctrine that grows out of the traditional reli-
gious teachings of the church.Further Reading
Hanson, Eric O. The Catholic Church in W orld Politics.Prince-
ton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1990.Charlemagne (742–814) Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire, political and religious leader in the
European Middle Ages
Charlemagne, or “Charles the Great” is chiefly known
for uniting the Western European empire, coordinat-
ing his kingdom with the Roman CATHOLICchurch, and
developing administrative and educational institutions
in the West. His advancement of governmental unity
and ecclesiastical and educational reform caused the
Carolingian RENAISSANCEof learning, Christian civiliza-
tion, and political stability. He ruled over Europe from
the Mediterranean to Britain and sponsored the palace
school, church-state councils, clarification of CHRISTIAN
doctrine and discipline, and uniformity of law across
Europe. As a soldier, statesman, and church leader,
Charlemagne represents one of the greatest leaders of
the Western tradition. He was crowned Holy Roman
Emperor by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day, A.D. 800.Further Reading
Fichtenau, Heinrich. The Carolingian Empire.1957.checks and balances
The theory that government TYRANNYis prevented by
dividing social and political power through distinct,