405. What is the foundation of the authority of society? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp 405 repetition) Every human
community needs a legitimate authority that preserves order and contributes to
the realization of the common good. The foundation of such authority lies in
human nature because it corresponds to the order established by God.
“In brief”
(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 1920) "The political community and public authority are based on human nature and therefore . . . belong to an order established by God" (GS 74 § 3).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1898) Every human community needs an authority to govern it (Cf. Leo XIII, Immortale Dei; Diuturnum illud). The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. (CCC 1901) If authority belongs to the order established by God, "the choice of the political regime and the appointment of rulers are left to the free decision of the citizens" (GS 74 § 3). The diversity of political regimes is morally acceptable, provided they serve the legitimate good of the communities that adopt them. Regimes whose nature is contrary to the natural law, to the public order, and to the fundamental rights of persons cannot achieve the common good of the nations on which they have been imposed.
(CCC 1898) Every human community needs an authority to govern it (Cf. Leo XIII, Immortale Dei; Diuturnum illud). The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. (CCC 1901) If authority belongs to the order established by God, "the choice of the political regime and the appointment of rulers are left to the free decision of the citizens" (GS 74 § 3). The diversity of political regimes is morally acceptable, provided they serve the legitimate good of the communities that adopt them. Regimes whose nature is contrary to the natural law, to the public order, and to the fundamental rights of persons cannot achieve the common good of the nations on which they have been imposed.
Reflection
(CCC 1902) Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a "moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility" (GS 74 § 2): A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 93, 3, ad 2). [END]
(CCC 1902) Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a "moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility" (GS 74 § 2): A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 93, 3, ad 2). [END]
(Next
question: When
is authority exercised in a legitimate way?)
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