Human history is deeply marked by mass poverty. This was only overcome by the capitalistic industrial revolution. Catholic ethicists and theologians would be wise to learn about the economic factors that have lifted people out of poverty and continue to increase the general standard of living.
Even though few self-identify as Marxists, many of the Marx’s ideas remain in fashion. In particular, his denigration of capitalists and entrepreneurs as stealing from workers, and his failure to identify their effective beneficence, remain quite popular.
The euro has been a political project since its inception. That is why the independence of the European Central Bank was also in danger from the outset. In the end, it always came down to the alternative “Cambridge or Vienna” or, rather, “Keynes or Hayek.” The option for Keynes led to an increasing politicization of monetary policy in the European Monetary Union.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right without which a free and democratic society cannot exist. We all grew up in this culture of freedom. But Political Correctness and conformism endanger it.
When contemplating the future, and trying to imagine possible developments, there is always a fine line between optimism and self-delusion. We generally overestimate our abilities to influence what lies ahead; and we tend to underestimate the power of external factors.
