|
One must pay tribute to those nations whose systems permit the largest possible number of the citizens to take part in public life in a climate of genuine freedom.32 1916 As with any ethical obligation, the participation of all in realizing the common good calls for a continually renewed conversion of the social partners. Fraud and other subterfuges, by which some people evade the constraints of the law and the prescriptions of societal obligation, must be firmly condemned because they are
be taken to promote institutions that
improve the conditions of human life.33
1917 It is incumbent on those who exercise authority to
streng then the values that inspire the confidence of the
members of the group and encourage them to put themselves at
the service of others. Participation begins with education
and culture. One is entitled to think that the future
of humanity is in the hands of those who are capable of
providing the generations to come with
1918 There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God (Rom 13:1). 1919 Every human community needs an authority in
order to endure and develop. 1920 The political community and public
authority are based on human nature and therefore. . .
belong to an order established by God (CS 74
§~). 1921 Authority is exercised legitimately jf it
is committed to the common good of society. To attain this
it must employ morally acceptable means. 1922 The diversity of political regimes is
legitimate, provided they contribute to the good of the
community. 1923 Political authority must be exercised within
the limits of the moral order and must guarantee the
conditions for the exercise offreedom. 1924 The common good comprises the sum total
of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or
as individuals, to reach theirfulfilment more fully and more
easily (GS 26 §i). |
|