Practical Wisdom for Social Innovation. How Christian Entrepreneurs Triggered the Emergence of the Catholic Social Tradition in Europe

The tradition of Catholic social thought (CST) has been of crucial importance for the development of “Rhenish Capitalism” and “Social Market Economy” in Europe. However, its origins and basic principles have no longer been much remembered, recently. This essay describes the emergence of CST in the context of industrialization, which also represents a source of major cultural transformations. After a brief overview on the pre-modern Jewish-Christian social tradition, 19th century schools of thought like Social romanticism and secular modernism are characterized as reactions towards the intellectual challenge of industrialization. Taking that background into account, the path-breaking role of Christian entrepreneurs like Léon Harmel (France) and Franz Brandts (Germany) becomes obvious. Their practically wise engagement and exemplary leadership paved the way towards a new paradigm of (Christian) social ethics. Moreover, their ample civic engagement strongly influenced contemporary discussions in church and society—thereby fostering the emergence a genuine Central European business culture. Being exposed to a completely new socio-economic environment, they nevertheless struggled to live up to their values. Beyond reducing it to Papal documents, CST rather emerged from the innovative social and economic practice of believing Christians. Their innovative practical wisdom succeeded to “inculturate” the faith: a program, which was described by theologians only a century later. Looking ahead, the emergence of CST as one of the most important wisdom traditions may serve as a blueprint for other spiritual and religious traditions confronted with industrialization as well.