I received an interesting email from an Australian reader regarding my book, Return to Order. She correctly notes that the book deals with many errors that America has helped spread throughout the modern world. One of these is the spirit of frenetic intemperance which is criticized in the book as a source of economic unbalance. … Read more
In dealing with today’s economic problems, it should be remembered that the plague of mass unemployment is a modern phenomenon. At the height of Christian civilization during the Middle Ages, unemployment was rare for reasons that were social rather than economic. Economist Joseph Schumpeter notes that, in principle, medieval society provided for all its members. … Read more
The desire of material goods has limits but the desire for money is different. Saint Thomas Aquinas in his admirable logic explains that material goods, represented in the concrete form of food, clothing, houses, land or other products, all have definite limits based on production and consumption. The very nature of these commodities is also … Read more
No method of payment changed the buying habits of Americans more than that of the installment plan. The idea of making regular payments as one uses the product caught the imagination of the nation in the early twentieth century. Starting with sewing machines, farm machinery and automobiles, the practice soon embraced almost every line of … Read more
Throughout the Middle Ages, monopolies were regarded with universal disapproval. Julius Kirshner lists three reasons: 1. By enhancing the price, monopolists sold something for more than it was worth, which was against the idea of equality underlying commutative justice. 2. Exploitation in whatever form was against the precept of charity and brotherly love. 3. … Read more
Celebrate the America we could be with a RETURN TO ORDER. You could win a Kindle Fire plus autographed copies of the new book, RETURN TO ORDER, which explores a new solution to challenges we face in America today. Enter online at: http://a.pgtb.me/t4hm0. All instructions and official contest rules appear when you click on the … Read more
In a mass society, we are defined not by what we are but what we have. A mass society is what Thomas Hobbes long before described as a mere sand-heap of individuals where each seeks his own interest and welfare. When the social ties are loosened, material wealth becomes the main standard of well being. … Read more
Written by Gary Isbell. In the January 31 issue of the Dutch Catholic paper, Katholiek Nieuwsblad, staff writer Henk Rijkers interviews author John Horvat II about his book, Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society. The Dutch-language interview was given during a successful book signing tour in Belgium and Holland … Read more
What society lacks today are norms. Norms are not to be confused with simple normality. Rather, norms are the basis for living together in civil society, and without which a social order crumbles. A society without norms is a bland society that leads to standardization with no standards. Russell Kirk said it best when he … Read more
Is America worth fighting for? That is the question addressed by a special video that outlines the challenges now facing America. The video points out those things that make America great—its vast panoramas, massive economic power and indomitable spirit of enterprise. However, the nation must now deal with threats like the towering weight of debt … Read more
