A POSTCAPITALIST PARADIGM: THE COMMON GOOD OF ...

According to him, to start off on the level of principles, there are two
points that have to be clarified, the concept of work and the notion of
property. The view that we have of human work is somewhat misleading
when described as decent work. It is said in good faith, however as
a result we do not sufficiently consider the dimension and significance
of work, which is one of the peculiarities of the human being and makes
us different from all living beings. We should specify the dimension of
dignified work as the fulfilment and liberation of the human being.
It is also essential to rethink what the right to property really involves,
as all property is subject to a social hypothesis as is clearly laid down
by the social doctrine of the Church. 126 It is not possible to continue defending
the private property of a few people, in whose hands are concentrated
all land, wealth and power. It is necessary to spell out very
clearly what is meant by the universal destiny of goods, as a new culture
can only be developed when the common goods and the Common
Good of Humanity are at its centre. At present this is completely violated
and distorted by neo-liberalism, which denies the existence of common
good and all that this can mean: going behind individualism, mercantilism,
consumerism and pragmatism.
Practically speaking, it is very important to be clear about what the State,
in the 21 st century, should be: a democratic, social State of law. As opposed
to the liberal State of law, a social State of law was proposed and
now it is time to develop the democratic, social State of law, as has been
done by the Brazilian Confederation of Public Employees (CSPB).
Another question that is decisive for practice is participation, but it
should be participation to decide and not simply to participate as in the
old formula. All achievement of the common good requires establishing
126 The social doctrine of the Catholic Church affirms the principle of private property,
including of the means of production, but it stresses the social responsibility of the
owner. It also proposes the promotion of the common good by collaboration between
all social classes
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