Rerum Novarum 3rd Principle Subsidiarity In Relation To Transnational Companies
My essay for my college class Contemporary world.
Transnational companies are companies, firms, business, corporations, et cetera, that are controlled from their home country, operating wholly or partially owned subsidiaries in different countries (Transnational Corporation, n.d.). Though some of these companies have made efforts to contribute to the welfare of their home country–Philippines, questions are ever present whether it is in their heart to care about responsibility to help the country as a massive company earning great sums of profit. In this essay, I am going to argue how Transnational companies go against the principle of subsidiarity
Subsidiarity, the third principle in Rerum Novarum’s Seven Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine (promulgated on May 15, 1891), talks about how not to intervene in matters that can be resolved by families or communities (Lanari, B. n.d.). These companies must be compelled to avoid removing families or smaller local governments of the things they can do for themselves, unless they have no means of achieving it, this replaces the rights and responsibilities of families (Lanari, B. n.d.). Transnational Companies should rather guide and protect them.
There are lots of examples of Transnational Companies in the Philippines: Nestle, Ford Philippines, Shell Philippines, and Unilever (Gomez, n.d.).
Some critics argue that Transnational Companies present no loyalty to the country, in which they are incorporated but act solely in their own best interest(Transnational Corporation, 2008).
Transnational Companies, create socialism, which is fundamentally flawed said by Pope Leo XIII (Lanari, B. n.d.). Socialism is found to be slow economically (Reading: The Disadvantages of Socialism, n.d.). Reducing prosperity, giving less motivation to individuals, making a society unproductive by removing its rights and duties (of parents, families communities).
According to Lanari, B. (n.d.), Pope Leo XIII believed that human society could only be saved and healed by a Christian life and Christian institutions, because they are ordered to man’s true end and true good.
I firmly believe in balancing self-interest and the good, in making how the business functions. I suggest that business, to put forward, to not break the structure of society. Following this principle of the Catholic social doctrine, are as applicable today, as they were over a hundred years ago.
Disclaimers:
I, the author am not responsible for any negative consequence as a result of people reading and/or being influenced by this piece of independent academic literature. You as the reader are given the right to consume this piece, but are not allowed to copy paste or plagiarize it under Philippine copyright law; of which, offenders could be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 6 years and a fine of up to PHP 1,500,000.00 depending on the damages.
For educational purposes only.
References:
- Lanari, B. (n.d.). Rerum Novarum and Seven Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine | Barbara Lanari | Ignatius Insight. Ignatius Insight. Retrieved May 25, 2021, from http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2011/blanari_rerumnovarum_may2011.asp
- transnational corporation. (n.d.). Oxford Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803105436546
- transnational corporation. (n.d.). Oxford Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803105436546
- Gomez. The Best Transnational Companies in the Philippines. (n.d.). FaB Suffrage Inc. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from http://fab.ph/transnational-companies/
- Reading: The Disadvantages of Socialism. (n.d.). International Business. Retrieved June 25, 2021, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com
