The Moral Basis for Economic Liberty

The Moral Basis for Economic Liberty Published on July 13, 2010

by: The Reverend Fr. Robert Sirico

First Principles Series

Abstract: Today, those who defend free markets and capitalism often do so solely on managerial or technical grounds, but economic liberty needs a moral defense as well. Defense of economic liberty without reference to morality will ultimately prove injurious to liberty itself. Rightly understood, capitalism is simply the name for the economic component of the natural order of liberty. It means expansive ownership of property, fair and equal rules for all, economic security through prosperity, strict adherence to the boundaries of ownership, opportunity for charity, wise resource use, creativity, growth, development, prosperity, abundance. Most of all, it means the economic application of the principle that every human person has dignity and should have that dignity respected.


http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/07/The-Moral-Basis-for-Economic-Liberty