Social, Political and Economic Thought in the Roman Catholic Journals, in the Years 1918-1939

Abstract

In the second part of the paper the author discusses political and socio-economic problems as presented in the Roman Catholic journals, in the years 1918-39. He stresses that only „Przegląd Powszechny” and „Przewodnik Społeczny” appeared regularly then; „Ateneum Kapłańskie” was founded as latemas 1925 which excludes almost the entire period of parliamentary government; in the years 1920-26 „Prąd” was an academic journal, irregularly issued; „Ruch Katolicki” was started in 1931, „Verbum” in 1934 but it avoided political issues; „Kultura” appeared since 1936. Only „Przegląd Powszechny” published a regular review of public events. „Przewodnik Społeczny” although taking up the issues in its articles and columns was interested chiefly in their educational aspect. The remaining journals, aparat from Verbum, dealt only with certain problmes of political or socio-economic nature following the programme of reconstructing the social system as presented in encyclical Quadragesima anno. Besides, there appeared scientific papers or articles discussing individual problems of political and socio-economic structure of the country.

The journals either actually were or felt connected with the Church. As such they professed absolute political impartiality being interested in the, moral aspect of political, social and economic concepts and events. The journals pronounced themselves in favour of democratic government, although not all were consistent in their views. The common feature was an appeal for freedom, abolishion of class and party hatred, participation of particular potitical parties in the government, eradication of injustice, use of ethical methods in gaining political influence, and reconstruction of the political system according to encyclical Quadragesimo anno. The journals demanded also the „Catholic action”, i.e. turning to action and realization of the programme of the system remodelling which grew stronger from year to year.

The author discusses in detail the attitude of particular journals concerning important current problems as well as political, social and economic events.