Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 441.

YOUCAT Question n. 441 - What does the Church say about democracy?

(Youcat answer) The Church supports democracy, because of all political systems it offers the best conditions for achieving equality before the law and safeguarding human rights. In order to do that, however, democracy must be more than mere majority rule. True democracy is possible only in a State ruled by law that recognizes the fundamental God given rights of all and defends them, if necessary, even against the will of the majority.   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1918) "There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom 13:1). (CCC 1919) Every human community needs an authority in order to endure and develop. (CCC 1920) "The political community and public authority are based on human nature and therefore… belong to an order established by God" (GS 74 § 3). (CCC 1921) Authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed to the common good of society. To attain this it must employ morally acceptable means. (CCC 1922) The diversity of political regimes is legitimate, provided they contribute to the good of the community. (CCC 1923) Political authority must be exercised within the limits of the moral order and must guarantee the conditions for the exercise of freedom. (CCC 1924) The common good comprises "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily" (GS 26 1).    

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) History teaches that even democracy offers no absolute protection from violations of human dignity and human rights. It always runs the risk of becoming a tyranny of the majority over a minority. Democracy depends on preconditions that it cannot guarantee in and of itself. That is why Christians in particular must make sure that the values indispensable to a democracy are not undermined. 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1925) The common good consists of three essential elements: respect for and promotion of the fundamental rights of the person; prosperity, or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society; the peace and security of the group and of its members. (CCC 1926) The dignity of the human person requires the pursuit of the common good. Everyone should be concerned to create and support institutions that improve the conditions of human life. (CCC 1927) It is the role of the state to defend and promote the common good of civil society. The common good of the whole human family calls for an organization of society on the international level. (CCC 1928) Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and their vocation. Social justice is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority. 

(The next question is: What is the Church’s stance on capitalism or the free-market economy?)