"The historical experience of socialist countries has sadly demonstrated that collectivism does not do away with alienation but rather increases it, adding to it a lack of basic necessities and economic inefficiency"
- Pope John Paul II
About this Quote
Pope John Paul II's quote is a reflection on the historical experience of socialist countries. He argues that collectivism, which is a system of social company based on cumulative ownership of the methods of production, does not do away with alienation, but rather increases it. This alienation is more compounded by an absence of standard requirements and economic inadequacy. This recommends that collectivism is not a reliable system for attending to the needs of individuals. The Pope's quote is a caution versus collectivism, and a pointer that it is not a feasible solution for creating a much better society. It is a reminder that economic and social systems should be developed to fulfill the needs of individuals, not to serve the interests of the few.
"The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists"
"I believe that history has shape, order, and meaning; that exceptional men, as much as economic forces, produce change; and that passe abstractions like beauty, nobility, and greatness have a shifting but continuing validity"
"Now is not the time to compromise on the economy. Instead, we should be doing everything in our power to support long-term economic growth. Permanent repeal of the death tax will mean more high-quality, high-paying jobs for Americans"
"Hand in hand with nationalist economic isolationism, militarism struggles to maintain the sovereign state against the forward march of internationalism"
"Racism is a way to gain economic advantage at the expense of others. Slavery and plantations may be gone, but racism still allows us to regard those who may keep us from financial gain as less than equals"
"As a result of the World War, this old Germany collapsed. It collapsed in its constitution, in its social order, in its economic structure. Its thinking and feeling changed"