Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today.

What used to be local or regional problems are now global and require a new way of global thinking. This thinking, deeply rooted in ethical considerations, cannot be prescribed or regulatory. This is where the See-Judge-Act method comes into play, empowering us to shape a better world and instilling hope for a brighter future.

At the heart of the way of thinking with the See-Judge-Act method, we encounter human behavior, encourage societal phase change, and encounter obstacles and resistance. Regarding behavior, read this statement:

"Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today. For 30 years, we have made a virtue of the pursuit of material self-interest. We no longer ask of a judicial ruling or a legislative act: Is it good? Is it fair? Is it just? Is it right? Will it help to bring about a better society or a better world? Those used to be the political questions, even if they invited no easy answers. We must learn once again to pose them, and this time, learn from our past mistakes." ~ (Helliwell, Layard, & Sachs, 2016). Judt (2010, p. 1)

When exceptionally well-developed industrial countries pursue one goal and one objective, such as economic expansion and making as much profit as possible at the expense of social and environmental well-being, the opportunity cost can be extremely high. In exchange for economic growth and the pursuit to match what other countries are doing, to ensure our country is not left behind or in the dust, emerging companies are starting to feel and act as if they have to behave the same for survival what we are experiencing is climbing inequality, embedded social exclusion. We are witnessing a severe deterioration of the world's natural resources.

"Politics and the economy tend to blame each other when it comes to poverty and environmental degradation. It is hoped that they can acknowledge their mistakes and find forms of interaction directed to the common good. While some are concerned only with financial gain and others with holding on to or increasing their power, what we are left with are conflicts or spurious agreements where the last thing either party is concerned about is caring for the environment and protecting those who are most vulnerable." (Pope Francis, 2015).

Since the days of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, we have seen the rise of neoliberalism. Neoliberal economics has made no significant inroads into alleviating poverty and nudged the global economy to the edge of the abyss of the world economy.  

Keep in mind. Neoliberalism is a political and economic philosophy that emphasizes free trade, deregulation, globalization, and a reduction in government spending. It is related to laissez-faire economics, which prescribes minimal government interference in the economic issues of individuals and society. Neoliberalism is a term used to signify the late-20th-century political reappearance of 19th-century ideas associated with free-market capitalism after it fell into decline following the Second World War.

The alternatives to Neoliberalism are Community and Solidarity Economies, Which Prioritize local production, consumption, and exchange and build resilient and equitable communities.

We see this way of thinking in Pope Francis's writings, Joseph Cardijn's work, and Vatican II's documents; in practical terms, we call this Social Democracy, which advocates for multiple forms of ownership of key industries, strong social safety nets, and redistribution of wealth for the common good. 

When we read about Joseph Cardijn's life and the people within his circle of influence, we see a focus on Social democracy and political, social, and economic practices that support economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of private and public ownership in the economy. It's a kinder and more wholesome economic system for the common good. 

I have a phrase below my signature line in my emails, and it states: 

"The Currency of human contact is stories!  People remember what they "see" in their minds." 

What we have with Joseph Cardijn is a trove of stories that emanated within the framework of Articles and essays, Speeches and addresses, Letters and correspondence, and Documents and reports related to his work with the Young Christian Workers (YCW), Young Christian Students (YCS), and other movements, including those who believed in the work of Joseph Cardijn and the work of Vatican II.

These materials collectively offer a deep insight into his thoughts, philosophies, and the practical implementation of his ideas, which are embedded in what we call Social Democracy.

We have a strong Catholic Tradition dating back to the Sermon on the Mount that forms the foundation for us as Christians. As Catholics, we Can Create a More Just Economy together without resorting to any form of Nationalism that is contrary to our teachings.

My friend Tony Annett wrote the book Cathonomics. It is an ethical and practical guide for people of all faiths and backgrounds seeking to create a world economy that is more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable for all. 

Think of "cathonomics" as what the word means from its earliest origins, universal, and what we have in our tradition and teachings. It is a platform and foundation for universal economics based on social democracy.

Drawing on economics, which seems to be at the heart of people today and what we often call "kitchen table issues," we, as members of the Cardijn movements, are in a perfect position to promote Catholic social thought, philosophy, climate science, and psychology. In our tradition, we have insights into how to work together to promote a more just economy. The key here is the creation of a social market economy. A social democracy entails recognizing that the market economy must be underpinned not only by property rights but ALSO by economic rights, as highlighted by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25). 

Remember that we face an economic world similar to Joseph Cardijn's and many others from the Industrial Revolution. The difference is that the billionaires today are actively trying to destroy social democracy.

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Photo: Richard Sandbrook, vice-president of Science for Peace Canada and professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto.

Book reference: Cathonomics: How Catholic Tradition Can Create a More Just Economy by Tony Annett.