THE POLITICAL

COMMUNITY
Power and Morality
Joerald A. Pepito
CLF4 Instructor
Colegio San Agustine-Bacolod
Learning Outcomes:
1.Understand the description of political community
and its importance.

2. Define and understand the state and government

from the Church’s point of view.

3. Know the political parties and understand the ethical

rules and political ethics and their principles
BIBLICAL
PERSPECTIVE
GOD’S DOMINION
GOD

The People
of Israel SAMUEL

DAVID
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE KIND OF
KING/LEADER YOU HAVE TODAY IN
THE SOCIETY?
IS HE/SHE USING A DESPOTIC KIND
OF LEADERSHIP? OR A GIFT FROM
GOD WHO COMES TO THE
ASSISTANCE OF HIS PEOPLE?
JESUS AND POLITICAL AUTHORITY

Jesus refuses the

oppressive and
despotic power
wielded by the Rulers
of the Nation. (Mk
10:42)
Jesus fought against and overcame
the temptation of a political
messianism.
Is the struggle for power.

Power to decide who has

the authority to make
decision for the larger
community.
REASONS FOR PRACTICING POLITICS

1. Collective character of human life.

2. Essential Human Activity.

3. A process involving negotiation, bargaining and

compromise

2. Reconciling special interests in the pursuit of the common

good.
 POLITICAL
COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION AND PURPOSE OF THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY
The Human Person is the
foundation and purpose of political
life.

RATIONAL NATURE
WE HAVE OUR
OWN CHOICES
A naturally Social and
Political being, a social
Life is not something
added on but is part of
an essential and indelible
dimension.
WHAT IS A POLITICAL COMMUNITY?
A political community
regulates the public
affairs of a society in
contrast to private
interests.
“It is evident that a
City is a natural
production and that
Man is naturally a
political animal”
-Aristotle-
 HOW IMPORTANT IS POLITICS?
1. Government and politics impacts nearly every
aspect of our lives.

2. You should know what is going on around you.

3. Politics tells you how a society must be set up
and How one should act within a society.
STATE and MAN
Despite the priority of the person,
we cannot do without the state.

State is the secure sphere in

which the human person
can freely develop.
 POLITICAL AUTHORITY

The Church has always considered

different ways of understanding
authority, taking care to defend and
propose a model of authority that
is founded on the social nature of
the Person.
CHARACTERISTIC OF A
POLITICAL AUTHORITY
It must be an instrument of
COORDINATION and DIRECTION by
means of which the many individuals
and intermediate bodies must move
towards an order in which
relationships, institutions and
procedures are put AT THE SERVICE OF
INTEGRAL HUMAN GROWTH.
CHARACTERISTIC OF A
POLITICAL AUTHORITY

Must always be exercised within the

limits of morality.
MORAL STANDARD
VS. NON- MORAL
STANDARD
MORAL STANDARDS

 Involve the rules people have about the kinds

of actions they believe are morally right and
wrong, as well as the values they place on the
kinds of objects they believe are morally good
and morally bad.
NON-MORAL STANDARDS

 Refers to rules that are unrelated to

moral or ethical considerations. It
lacks ethical sense.
AUTHORITY AS A MORAL FORCE

Authority must be guided by the

Moral law. All of its dignity
derives from its being exercised
within the context of the moral
order which in turn has God for
its first source and final end.
AUTHORITY DIVINE LAW

(Contrary Reason) Unjust Law

HUMAN LAW
(Right Reason) Just Law
On encyclicals
1. WHAT IS THE VIEW OF RERUM NOVARUM BETWEEN
MAN AND THE STATE?

2. WHAT IS THE VIEW OF RERUM NOVARUM BETWEEN

CHURCH AND THE STATE?

3. WHAT IS THE VIEW OF CENTESIMUS ANNUS ON

POLITICS AS RELIGION?