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Lord Acton and Rerum novarum

In: On the Economic Significance of the Catholic Social Doctrine

Author

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  • Frits L. Holthoon

    (University of Groningen)

Abstract

Lord Acton was an influential 19th century scholar, an English historian, liberal Catholic, Member of Parliament and publicist. He criticized many conservative and hierarchical positions of the Catholic Church and organized, for example, the opposition of bishops to the decree defining papal infallibility. His lack of success in criticizing the Church led him into silence in his positions—not, however, by conviction—and he remained silent even after the publication of Rerum novarum, with its ideas of social change. This article is in a sense a dialectical counterpoint to the ideas and measures connected with Rerum novarum. The procedure presented explains how Acton’s silence gives us an insight into the world of Rerum novarum and the future of Catholicism, for the encyclical reveals a corporatist tendency in both theory and practice. Acton’s position is discussed under the two headings of his role as politician and as historian, and his perspective leads to new insights into Rerum novarum as a social document.

Suggested Citation

  • Frits L. Holthoon, 2017. "Lord Acton and Rerum novarum," The European Heritage in Economics and the Social Sciences, in: Jürgen Backhaus & Günther Chaloupek & Hans A. Frambach (ed.), On the Economic Significance of the Catholic Social Doctrine, pages 59-67, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:euhchp:978-3-319-52545-7_5
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52545-7_5
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