Without Justice, What Else is the State But a Great Band of Robbers (St.Augustine)
On Thiefdoms and Toolsheds
Something that is politically or legally expedient-even if it is the will of the majority-is not necessarily just. Justice is something that hovers outside or above politics and law, that is extra-political or extra-legal or, perhaps better, supra-political or supra-legal. Politics and law that are based upon nothing other than agreement is rudderless politics, rudderless law, and it quickly falls into something gravely evil.
PrintCORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - In his book City of God, St. Augustine famously said, "without justice, what else is the State but a great band of robbers?" This statement seems to be a favorite of Pope Benedict XVI, and he has recruited it in warning lawmakers, particularly lawmakers in the Western nations with Christian heritage, of the way to which they are headed.
He referred to these words in his address to the German Parliament or Bundestag when he visited Germany. Some years earlier, in his encyclical Deus caritas est, Pope Benedict XVI referred to those very same words.
It is useful from time to time to recall these words of St. Augustine and the deep truth that they convey.
In his encyclical Deus caritas est, Pope Benedict elaborated on St. Augustine's famous saying. The reason why St. Augustine insisted on justice is that "justice is both the aim and the intrinsic criterion of all politics." (No. 28).
The negative implication of this statement is that without justice, politics--and the law promulgated by the political processs--is aimless and has no criterion. In short, it is lawless, and being lawless, unjust.
To say that politics and law are aimless and have no criterion, is the same thing as saying that politics and law are unreasonable and arbitrary. All politics and all law therefore become relative and unhinged from moral law. This view of politics and law takes us from freedom--which is the liberty to do as we ought--past the threshold of justice into tyranny--where we are no longer free to do as we ought, but we must do what we're told.
By definition, tyranny exists when politics or law is arbitrary. In such a case, might makes right, whereas it ought to be the other way around: right--that is to say, justice--makes might.
Politics and law must then be informed by right, by justice. It is an absolutely essential requirement that politics and law have justice behind them, otherwise we are ruled by thug government.
In politics, as in lawmaking, it is essential to focus on justice.
Justice, as the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church makes clear, has both subjective and objective components.
But we ought not to be confused by the term "subjective." The term "subjective" does not mean whatever we want, or feel, or desire (which is how we ordinarily use the term). In saying that justice has a subjective component, the Church is hardly advocating a politics of desire.
The term subjective as understood by the Church within the context of justice means that we ought to have the firm and constant resolve "to recognize the other as a person." (Compendium, No. 201) In other words, the term subjective in the context of justice (and politics and law) means not the I, not the ego, but rather the other, the you, the su, the tu.
(It is indicative of the self-focused, individualistic nature of our society that the 1st person singular personal pronoun "I"-in Greek and Latin ego-has become a common word in English, but the 2nd person singular personal pronoun "you"-in Greek, su, in Latin, tu-is never heard at all. The word egoism is common; the word tuism is used only by grammarians, and not modern jurists. But egoism has nothing to do with justice; tuism has everything to do with justice. The only word we have is "altruism" which is derived from the word alter or "other," but that has a sense of the anonymous or generic other, and not the familiar su or tu.)
Not only then is justice entirely other directed, it is also based upon objective moral reality, the moral what is. Therefore, justice must include "decisive criteria of morality in the intersubjective and social sphere." (Compendium, No. 201)
The "decisive criteria of morality" are found in the natural moral law. The natural moral law has some "unchanging moral truths" from which we derive our inalienable rights, such as those relating to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No politics, no law can ever trespass these without rank injustice.
As the Pope in January of this year told the American bishops in their ad limina visit to Rome, the reality of these "unchanging moral truths" is the "key to human happiness and social prospering." To ignore them, to supplant them, to violate them is not liberty, not justice, but rather its opposite: for it is to build a society and a politics based upon "reductionist and totalitarian readings of the human person and the nature of society." This necessarily leads to injustice. ...
He referred to these words in his address to the German Parliament or Bundestag when he visited Germany. Some years earlier, in his encyclical Deus caritas est, Pope Benedict XVI referred to those very same words.
It is useful from time to time to recall these words of St. Augustine and the deep truth that they convey.
In his encyclical Deus caritas est, Pope Benedict elaborated on St. Augustine's famous saying. The reason why St. Augustine insisted on justice is that "justice is both the aim and the intrinsic criterion of all politics." (No. 28).
The negative implication of this statement is that without justice, politics--and the law promulgated by the political processs--is aimless and has no criterion. In short, it is lawless, and being lawless, unjust.
To say that politics and law are aimless and have no criterion, is the same thing as saying that politics and law are unreasonable and arbitrary. All politics and all law therefore become relative and unhinged from moral law. This view of politics and law takes us from freedom--which is the liberty to do as we ought--past the threshold of justice into tyranny--where we are no longer free to do as we ought, but we must do what we're told.
By definition, tyranny exists when politics or law is arbitrary. In such a case, might makes right, whereas it ought to be the other way around: right--that is to say, justice--makes might.
Politics and law must then be informed by right, by justice. It is an absolutely essential requirement that politics and law have justice behind them, otherwise we are ruled by thug government.
In politics, as in lawmaking, it is essential to focus on justice.
Justice, as the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church makes clear, has both subjective and objective components.
But we ought not to be confused by the term "subjective." The term "subjective" does not mean whatever we want, or feel, or desire (which is how we ordinarily use the term). In saying that justice has a subjective component, the Church is hardly advocating a politics of desire.
The term subjective as understood by the Church within the context of justice means that we ought to have the firm and constant resolve "to recognize the other as a person." (Compendium, No. 201) In other words, the term subjective in the context of justice (and politics and law) means not the I, not the ego, but rather the other, the you, the su, the tu.
(It is indicative of the self-focused, individualistic nature of our society that the 1st person singular personal pronoun "I"-in Greek and Latin ego-has become a common word in English, but the 2nd person singular personal pronoun "you"-in Greek, su, in Latin, tu-is never heard at all. The word egoism is common; the word tuism is used only by grammarians, and not modern jurists. But egoism has nothing to do with justice; tuism has everything to do with justice. The only word we have is "altruism" which is derived from the word alter or "other," but that has a sense of the anonymous or generic other, and not the familiar su or tu.)
Not only then is justice entirely other directed, it is also based upon objective moral reality, the moral what is. Therefore, justice must include "decisive criteria of morality in the intersubjective and social sphere." (Compendium, No. 201)
The "decisive criteria of morality" are found in the natural moral law. The natural moral law has some "unchanging moral truths" from which we derive our inalienable rights, such as those relating to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No politics, no law can ever trespass these without rank injustice.
As the Pope in January of this year told the American bishops in their ad limina visit to Rome, the reality of these "unchanging moral truths" is the "key to human happiness and social prospering." To ignore them, to supplant them, to violate them is not liberty, not justice, but rather its opposite: for it is to build a society and a politics based upon "reductionist and totalitarian readings of the human person and the nature of society." This necessarily leads to injustice. ...
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What is the inherent nature of campaigning? What is necessary, intrinsic to a governor's nature, to be an excellent leader? After one has identified numerous misalignments present between the nature of campaigning and that of truly effective governing, it will soon become self-evident as to why campaigning as it exists at present ought to be outlawed. It does not follow that one who is effective at sophistry and marketing will be effective at governing properly. True, some politicians seek the truth. Unfortunately, it is usually to manipulate it to their own perceived advantages. Do marketers shine as much light on all the defects present in their products and services as they do on all their perceived good points? The packaging and coloring are usually very attractive, it is what is inside the box that is often the problem. He who knows how to shine immense light on perceived well looked upon truths also knows how to sweep under the carpet and throw into the dark bin the truths that are perceived as best being hidden. And with this, I likely have offended almost every politician and lawyer on the planet! If so, it likely proves I am right. True? True. Why were many saints, theologians, philosophers, martyrized? Power, control, and money do NOT like to be disrupted. Why? The corruption usually suits their own desired ends and means. And with all this, remember that nobody escapes death. Everyone dies, no exceptions. That is truly inspiring! Once again, to those facing injustices, remember that nobody can deceive God. Therefore? The kings, queens, politicians, lawyers, judges; they will all one day be accountable as they are sitting inside an urn on top of the fireplace mantle or lying inside their coffins admiring the ceiling of their new homes six feet under the ground. Be not afraid! Politicians take full advantage of fear inside people to manipulate them. It is possible to be beyond manipulation. There are many examples of this throughout the ages. The Lives of the Saints proves this.
P.E.L
superb article. paul-emile leray: thanks for the truthful ideas.
Great article. This article hits home to the fact that this country is under siege. The Obama Admin and the Marxist Democrat Party are as corrupt and lawless as it gets. The Constitution of the United States and the laws of the land mean absolutely nothing. Obama laundered money and shipped guns to the Mexican Cartels. He has given Billions of dollars to phony companies and CEO's that are his money bundlers. He is suing a state of the union for enforcing national immigration laws and he publicly refused uphold national law to defend marriage. Obama has sabotaged our energy industry and he has driven a record number of people into poverty. Our southern border is a free-for-all where the cartels are running drugs and human trafficking at will. We have degenerated into a "Lawless Society".
Excellent article. Show me a lover of the law and I will show you a mutton-headed tyrant. (A.de Mello-SJ) It is the nature of truth that it often separates itself from the crowd. (Jesuit writer) In a democracy, majority rules. Truth in politics? Doubtful. Democracies inherently are designed intrinsic to their natures to fall into mobocracies. The mob rules. What if the mob is asleep? Then, democracies are horrid illusions giving people the false impression that they are being well served. Served by who? Tyrants in love with power, control, and getting re-elected. Elections? Marketing. Where is the truth? Not in politics. The last thing politicians want is for people to be awake. Why? The farmer's job is easier when all 100 cattle are herded and running towards the slaughter house. The one or two who are awake are freeing themselves, by running away from the herd. If politicians manipulate too much, it is because the citizenry is asleep. At any rate, everyone dies and so be at peace in knowing that one day every single king, queen, politician, will end up as worm food. Good! I find that inspiring and hopeful! If so many gurus exist these days, is this not explicit proof that many are living lives of desperation and living in fear? Politicians and lawyers are not moral theologians and philosophers. Politicians are politicians. They like power and control, on taxpayers' money. Lawyers are lawyers, usually something like the pharisees, concerned more with the letter of the law than with the essence of objective truth. Lawyers often seek truth to then manipulate to their own perceived advantages. Truth? Many seek the truth. What is the motive behind seeking it? To follow it or to manipulate it to perceived advantage? At any rate, to anyone suffering from injustices simply tell yourselves that nobody escapes death. God knew what He was doing when He put an expiry date on the milk carton. The true philosophers do not fear natural death. A wise-man once said this, written by another wise-man. Here is what politicians often do:
1. Terrorize. (their own people and those in other lands as well)
2. Therefore? Infantilize. (fear turns people into frightened children)
3. Control.
Solution? Do NOT fear them. (most of them are rotten or simply manipulating tyrants)
The greatest leaders are the best servants, not manipulating tyrants.
PEL
Government by nature is corrupt.
-Seneca (4 BC - AD 65)
The Republican Party is no longer a political party but the policy arm of a corrupt and depraved social Darwinist / Ayn Rand oligarchy / plutocracy.
The Democratic Party's social agenda is driven by queers, radical feminists, abortionists, pseudo-intellectual moon howlers, self worshiping Hollywood pedophiles, atheists, nihilists, and a bipolar dystopian zeitgeist.
Odd, how it was Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher and Emperor , who revived a sluggish persecution of early Christians and really began executing them based on rigorous judgments that they were "enemies of humanity" by upsetting the order of the State. What now what are we to do? Pen apologies to D.C. like Justin did to Rome? and die as martyrs, or less glamorously be diminished to the point of nothing..... Or, are we capable of organizing a new team or political movement to lead a charge through the ranks of aligned politicians and raise the flag of liberty? I really doubt that. I even doubt we are capable of surviving in retreat, like the Christians of Rome did underground in the catacombs. All communication is monitored (hi there!)...and we must whisper once again.
What is the Spirit saying?
When St. Augustine was into Manicheanism, it took some time even for Augustine to find its falseness, for such is its beliefs entwined in the parallel to a Krisn'a as Christ, responsible for the "Planting" of the many false gospels in the name of the Apostles & gospel writers, which the early Church Fathers had to segregate the true from the false & this falseness is very much unto this day in its evolutionary , to pulling away many a Christians into Apostasy. Like a Simon Magus who wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit to sell it to his gain to a thief who steals to sell & in terms of Justice becomes "Justice stolen is Justice sold", the Motto of today's Merchant's of Justice, to the Biblical Baal's or Pseudo ways, into every walk of life.