International Financial Aid, Catholic Social Doctrine and Sustainable Integral Human Development

Abstract

Following World War II, the secular international agenda emphasized processes of developing the economically challenged and post-colonial nations of the world. The project was led by the Bretton Woods institutions and the United Nations. Bretton Woods focused primarily on economic issues: The IMF would establish order and liquidity in the international financial markets, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) would rebuild from the war’s devastation and ultimately aim for “the eradication of poverty.” In contrast, the United Nations focused on the international recognition of human rights. Similarly, the Catholic Church expanded its teachings of social doctrine to address the same issues. Pope St. John XXIII addressed human rights and the roles of international organizations. Pope St. Paul VI emphasized economic and social development, particularly in relation to less developed nations. Catholic teachings regarding development have always gone beyond mere economic advances and have sought “integral human development.” In the words of Pope St. Paul, “[w]hat must be aimed at is complete humanism. And what is that if not the fully rounded development of the whole man and of all men” (Populorum Progressio 42). This chapter summarizes the secular and “Catholic” approaches to international development with an emphasis on the parallel tracks of economic development and human rights. The chapter then analyzes the impact of policies related to the critical role of financial aid. The analysis considers, first, the extent to which financial aid has been effective in promoting the development of poor nations; and second, whether economic progress alone achieves a desirable level of “integral human development,” as defined by St. Paul VI.