[A. Pole]

Thus, the high medieval church provided the conditions for F. A. Hayek’s famous "spontaneous order" of the market to emerge. This cannot happen in lawless and chaotic times; in order to function, capitalism requires rules that allow for predictable economic activity. Under such rules, if France needs wool, prosperity can accrue to the English sheepherder who first increases his flock, systematizes his fleecers and combers, and improves the efficiency of his shipments.

In his 1991 Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, Pope John Paul II points out that the main cause of the wealth of nations is knowledge, science, know-how, discovery — in today’s jargon, "human capital." Literacy and study were the main engines of such medieval monasteries; human capital, moral and intellectual, was their primary economic advantage.

Free traders have no clue how the civilization is being built. All they know is how to make a quick profit by wasting the cultural/social capital accumulated through centuries.

[1stFreedom]

I think that Much of history disproves this post. Read CK Chesterton and you'll get an idea of how Catholicism is not favorable to capitalism and visa versa.

[harpseal]

Thanks for a very interesting hostorical perspective of the Hogh Middle ages.

[DoctorMichael]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Western Civilization is a 'tapestry' of many elements, each having played off the other to evolve the current level of sophistication and sheer diversity (used here in a good sense) of thought and action. People are not taught anymore to value those 'threads' in that 'tapestry' that are the bedrock and foundation of the whole. The Church is one of those threads and has contributed much to where we are today. Removing some of the threads causes the fabric to fall apart. This then is purpose of the left with regard to religion: To destroy the fabric of our society by removing some of its greatest underpinnings and 'threads'.

As an aside, I hope the European Union doesn't forget their history and exclude their heritage in the writing of their 'Constitution' as John Paul II has reminded them recently.

[Those_Crazy_Liberals]

"Free traders have no clue how the civilization is being built."

LOL WAKE UP! It's the 21st century. Civilization IS built. It was built on hard work and no whining. Try it sometime.

[RussianConservative]

Yes, after they get over Zero Sum Wealth (or Fixed Wealth) doctrine where if one is rich another must be poor and the thing with only Jews as money lenders.