The Relationship between Common Good and Democracy
Discuss about the Democracy and Catholic Social Teaching.
Since time immemorial, the concept of common good is considered to be an important part of political philosophy. This is because from the very beginning, the concept of common good played significant role in regard to philosophical reflection about public and private dimensions surrounding social life. It is noteworthy to mention here that there is a close relationship between individual rights and common good. Therefore, for the purpose of protecting common good, individual rights must be protected.
In my perspective, torture is treated to be a crime as per the international law. The purpose of common good is therefore is as old as the notion of politics. I believe that torture has always been a mortal sin. Torture however, remains to be unjustified and unacceptable even during emergencies. In my opinion, the level of torture should be reduced and decreased by diminishing the challenges that are faced by the common good.
The notion of common good dealt with the people in common including the collective goods of law, culture and education (Westheimer, 2015). In the local context, I believe that common good is challenged according to the crimes that are occurring. The issue that challenges is the torturing crimes that affect individuals of the society. These are the challenges of the common good that are generally faced. According to my perspective, the common good is usually the condition for democracy. Democracy therefore consists of community, civic liberty and the forces engaged with globalization put that. The issue of common good is challenged globally. The purpose of common good in a global sphere is to ensure that the presence of common good is to reduce the level of unemployment, inequality and growth of conflicts. Every human being must be supported with dignity and treated equally in a fair manner. In my opinion, the importance of common good refers to that which transcends the interests of individuals residing in the society (Alves, Booth & Fryzel, 2016).
The essay addresses the issue regarding torture and abuse faced by prisoners of modern prison. It is evident that, prisoners are subjected to inhuman torture and humiliation from the very beginning. The government officials even failed to address the issues faced by them in regard to inhuman torture and abuse. In this context, Pope Francis emphasized on the part that, torture is a moral sin and the victims of torture must be protected. According to his perspective, modern prison is overcrowded and the prisoners are treated more like animals. It is worth mentioning that the nature of prison torture is such that it affects the principle of common good to the large extent and therefore it needs to be addressed by applying the principles of CST (Common Social Teaching).
Torture, Abuse, and Protection of Human Rights
It is worthwhile to refer here that, the concept of common good has been negated in both local and global context. In the local context, the challenge is concerned with humanitarian crisis and community responses. It is evident that, in modern era, the local communities are experiencing humanitarian crisis regarding decision-making. In such process, the local communities relied much upon international organization for a considerable period.
As per my knowledge, the issues of globalization have made it evident as to why common good is precarious in our daily lives. Governmental organizations help in taking care of the common good from torture as it was mentioned by the Pope. It hastens the impact of democratic governance. Common good is challenged globally with the factors that have been mentioned above (Felber, 2015). I therefore believe that when these issues are resolved globally, it will result in common good of the individuals existing in the society. Emphasis can be laid upon the part that common good has been challenged each time during the times of political instability and national emergencies. However, in the present case, the issue is regarding human torture that is also a violation of common good and therefore it has been challenged to the highest possible degree.
While dealing with the issues of the society, the basic principles of the Catholic Social teaching will be applied. The challenges can therefore be addressed for achieving a more just community or society. It can be stated that human beings are treated to be both social and sacred and they have existing relationship in the community. Along with all this, a broader social commitment is required. Every individual has a duty or responsibility towards the community or society human beings are residing in. Advocates also have something to contribute to the common good that are known as the benefits, which are shared in the community and solidarity of humans. An advocate is that individual who speaks with power on behalf of less powerful individuals. While dealing with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the challenges can be addressed by solving the issues of the society. Being an advocate, the powers that are vested can be used by looking through the matter and coming to a solving result. The major principles of Catholic Social Teaching that plays a role in reducing the challenges of the society are by arranging a moral test of a society and how the vulnerable members will be treated in it accordingly.
Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching to Reduce Challenges
The three principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) can be categorized as-
- Life and Dignity of Human Beings.
- Rights and Responsibilities.
The regarding torture of prisoners can be addressed by way of advocacy by applying the first principle of CST i.e. life and dignity of human beings. It is worth noting that from the beginning, it has been proclaimed by the Catholic Church that human life is sacred and the dignity of human forms a moral vision of society. In modern society, human life and dignity has been attacked under various underlying circumstances. In spite of all these, the law makers failed to take reasonable steps on their part. The value of human life is being threatened by way of abuse and torture. Therefore, by applying this principle of catholic social teaching, it is important on the part of the advocates as well as the rulers of the nation to protect the right to life of human beings by recommending efficient and peaceful means to resolve conflicts. It is worthwhile to mention here that, every human being is precious and therefore the authority lies upon the advocates to prevent the nature of human life and dignity from being threatened at a considerable extent.
The second CST i.e. the rights and responsibilities emphasized on the fact that the nature of human dignity is such that it can be protected and thereafter there shall be an achievement of healthy community. There is a fundamental right vested on every person to live a life of decency. Therefore applying this principle, the present issue regarding torture of prisoners in prison can be addressed to the greatest extent.
The third CST is concerned with the protection of OD’s creation. All that the greatest creation of GOD is human being know it. Therefore, the rights and dignity of human beings should not be violated. The advocates can efficiently address applying this principle, the present issue regarding human torture.
The fourth principle of CST is option for the poor and vulnerable that explains the fact that every individual are members of the society who should be treated equally.
Various international teams and organizations that involve NGOs and other non-profit organizations have come together for the attainment of common good. In this regard, most of the international organizations laid emphasis on the concept of rehabilitation of prisoners. The process of rehabilitation is such that it will ensure that the prisoners are provided safe accommodation and are re-educated so that they could live a normal life when released into the society. In this way, the torture on prisoners will be effectively addressed and the principles of common good can be attained as well.
References:
Akrivou, K., & Sison, A. J. G. (Eds.). (2016). The challenges of capitalism for virtue ethics and the common good: Interdisciplinary perspectives. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Alves, A. A., Booth, P., & Fryzel, B. (2016). Business Culture and Corporate Social Responsibility: An Analysis in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching with an Application to Whistle?Blowing. The Heythrop Journal.
Alves, H., Koch, A., & Unkelbach, C. (2017). The “common good” phenomenon: Why similarities are positive and differences are negative. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 146(4), 512.
Boer, R. (2017). Ontology, Plurality, and Roman Catholic Social Teaching: An Engagement with Liberation Theology. In Politics in Theology (pp. 101-128). Routledge.
Braaton, P. J., & White, S. (2016). Special issue on Catholic social teaching and healthcare reform: An introduction.
CathNews – We must help victims of torture: Pope. (2018). Retrieved from https://cathnews.com/cathnews/32405-we-must-help-victims-of-torture-pope
Cremers, M. (2017). What corporate governance can learn from catholic social teaching. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(4), 711-724.
de Peyrelongue, B., Masclef, O., & Guillard, V. (2017). The need to give gratuitously: A relevant concept anchored in Catholic social teaching to envision the consumer behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(4), 739-755.
Felber, C. (2015). Change everything: Creating an economy for the common good. Zed Books Ltd..
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/events/torturevictimsday/
Lewis, V. B. (2014). Democracy and Catholic Social Teaching: Continuity, Development, and Challenge. Studia Gilsoniana, 3, 167-190.
Sison, A. J. G., Ferrero, I., & Guitián, G. (2016). Human dignity and the dignity of work: Insights from Catholic social teaching. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(4), 503-528.
Westheimer, J. (2015). What kind of citizen?: Educating our children for the common good. Teachers College Press.
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