Just as Pope Paul VI’s controversial encyclical of 1968 – ,” Humanae Vitae”  , – foretold the demographic collapse now besetting much of the world, so his landmark ,” Populorum Progressio: On the Development of Peoples”  , has proven prophetic since its publication in 1967.  ,
It , opens with this collaborative appeal to the minds of men and women outside:” The starving nations of the world cry out to the individuals blessed with plethora” . ,
He urged everyone to come together with their ideas and resources to address the world’s most pressing socio-economic issues, urging a fundamental rethink of the significance of improvement and how best to approach global growth.  ,  ,
Six years later, this message , is resonating not only in the West , but, notably, in the regions of the International South.
The Pope cautions us that the elevation of independence, even if intended to promote independence and success, can result in socio-political dissonance that undermines the prosperity of other countries and the common good.  ,
He anticipates the damaging effects of uncontrolled capital mobility, the “offshoring” of predatory 19th-century labor practices, including the temptation to use authoritarian strategies to maintain control and “keep the great times rolling”;
The main thrust of the file is its appeal to all social systems that value the advancement of humankind and the end of hunger. Western , politicians,  , including , US international support and creation professionals,  , may also benefit from taking its lessons into account , – including an knowing that conscience is not , ipso facto , the governess of wealth.  ,
If ,” Populorum Progressio”  , remains important nearly , 60 , decades on,  , it is because , rising earnings inequality between rich and poor countries remains a sad reality.  ,
The document , highlights the horrible conditions in many countries of Africa and Asia , (emerging from imperial rule , when the document was written ) and notes that so many are” trying to escape the assaults of thirst, hunger, and knowledge” even as the West basks in comparative success.
Paul VI predicts , that if , socio- political and economic institutions are not reformed, there will be “public turmoil, civil insurrection and the slide toward authoritarian ideas” . ,
Building , on Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical” Rerum Novarum“, which drew attention to the horrible conditions of the working group at the top of the Industrial Revolution,  ,” Populorum Progressio”  , lays out principles that countries on both sides of the growth formula may stay in mind , if poorer , countries , are to , transition out of imperial structures and provide the community of free nations on a more equal footing.  ,
If France had , internalized , the document’s message, she would not now be on a fast track out of the , Sahel.
To be sure, the Pope wholeheartedly endorses , free enterprise and private property –  , when they embody a just ordering of material resources, time and money. According to him, any economic activity is good if it is in line with human dignity and the common good.  , Productive labor gives rise to creative thinking, deep personal growth, development of talents and virtues, and enables people to support families.
By the same token,  ,” Populorum Progressio”  , warns humanity – and, one might add, today’s policymakers – , against , what the Pope calls , “unbridled liberalism”, a form of economic “libertinism” which is destructive of human dignity and fraternity, and undermines the common good liberal economics are supposed to fortify.  ,  ,
The Pope describes “unbridled liberalism”, a. k. a “neoliberalism”, as ,” the , unrestrained quest for profits without limit, free competition as the sole guiding principle of economics and private ownership as an absolute right, having no limits or concomitant social obligations” . ,
” This unbridled liberalism”, the Pope says, “paves the way for a particular type of tyranny]that ] results in the’ international imperialism of money.’ Let’s say once more that economics is meant to be in the service of man, rather than the other way around. Such improper manipulations of economic forces can never be justified.  ,
The Pope, it would seem, wanted to warn us that “unbridled liberalism” flirts with redefining inequality as virtuous because , impersonal market forces, or so the argument goes, guarantee that individuals receive what they deserve in accordance with their intelligence and capabilities.
Because, at least for those with great wealth, in the long run everything will turn out just fine, which makes predatory economic relationships, wars, and forced migration justifications.
Full- bodied humanism
The Pope calls for a “full-bodied humanism,” a holistic approach to development that considers the transcendental nature of man, to better assist the flourishing of poorer nations. This might be an antidote to a neoliberal economic mindset that is all too prone to worsening relations between the West and the Global South, frequently to the detriment of both.
” Populorum Progressio”  , recognizes that a narrowly construed humanism, shut in on itself and not open to the values of the spirit, might achieve some limited success,” but closed off from God and other realities, a narrow materialistic understanding of economics ends up directed against man and becomes inhuman”.
The Pope saw interactions between people and nations as much more than a collection of buyers and sellers in a free market engaged in a series of cold transactions.  , He points out that” the injustice of certain situations cries out for God’s attention. Whole nations are under the control of others when they lack the bare necessities of life. They cannot act on their own initiative, they cannot exercise personal responsibility, and they cannot work toward higher levels of cultural refinement or greater participation in social and public life.
This sad state of affairs, it would seem, is a consequence of the quiet collusion of power brokers in rich and poor countries.  ,
The Pope criticizes” the principle of free trade,” which is effective when both parties are about equal economically, but when the parties are not, respectively, on par. Free market prices can end up being the most unfair. It must be avowed openly that, in this case, the fundamental tenet of liberalism, as the norm for market dealings, is open to serious question”.
Fans of “unbridled liberalism” will doubtless gag on these words, as would its shrinking pool of cheerleaders in , the Global South.
The Pope reminds” the rich nations” of their obligations, including” 1 ) mutual solidarity- the aid that the richer nations must provide to developing countries, 2 ) social justice- the repair of trade relations between strong and weak nations, 3 ) universal charity- the efforts to create a more humane world community where the progress of some is not purchased at the expense of others.” The Pope continues,” This issue is urgent for the future of world civilization depends on it.”
What exactly does this mean? ” Development programs designed to increase productivity should have but one aim: to serve human nature, free men from the bonds of servitude, thus giving them the capacity, in the sphere of temporal realities, to improve their lot, to further their moral growth and to develop their spiritual endowments” . ,  ,
The Pope cuts to the chase:” superfluous wealth ought to be placed at the disposal of poorer nations”, “genuine progress does not consist in wealth sought for personal comfort”,” continuing avarice will arouse the wrath of the , poor with , consequences no one can foresee. If prosperous countries continue to be envious of their own success only, they will compromise their highest values, putting the pursuit of excellence before the possession of wealth.
In other words, international aid and the internationally accepted order must advance the common good of all people.
The intervention of Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, last year in the United Nation’s General Assembly reflected some of the consternation the encyclical foretells:
” Africa needs a partnership that respects the strict dignity of everyone. We want to be your partners, not your subjects. We want to serve our people, not foreign interests. This new dynamic is not directed at anyone. It is the expression of a new Africa, an African- speaking Africa, one that wants to be free, sovereign, independent, and in control of its destiny.  ,
” We are tired of your paternalism. We’re sick of how you treat our elected officials, our leaders, and our populations. We are tired of your condescension and arrogance. Let’s work together in mutual respect for a bright future for Africa and the rest of the world.
It’s high time for foreign policy experts and Western policymakers to reevaluate their approach to economic engagement with nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  , In doing so, they , could do worse than to devote a few minutes to reading ” ,Populorum Progressio”  , and reflecting on its richness.