Establishing the priority of labor

Abstract

Pope John Paul II and the social teachings of the Catholic Church emphasize that labor should not be treated as an instrument in the production process. Rather justice requires that labor be given priority over capital. The reasons for this priority are explained. Several labor market conditions are examined to show that generally the priority of labor over capital does not exist. These conditions include unemployment, unjust wages, poverty, suppression of union activities, lack of participatory management, and discrimination against women and foreign workers. The works of Pope John Paul II are examined to discern the causes of these injustices and possible remedies for them. The roles played by the indirect employer, structures of evil, the ownership of economic resources, as well as the error of economism are considered.

Citation

Paul Peterson, G. and Buss, J.A. (1998), "Establishing the priority of labor", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 25 No. 11/12, pp. 1699-1710. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068299810233376