Impact of Humanitarian Crisis on the Principle of Common Good

This essay examines the impact of humanitarian crises on the principle of the common good, particularly in the context of post-World War II events in countries like Syria, Sudan, South Somalia, and Yemen. The author argues that the principle of common good was contradicted due to ongoing conflicts and lack of global collaboration, emphasizing the importance of justice, coordination, and cooperation. The essay explores the application of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) principles, such as the role of the Government and Subsidiary, and the attainment of Common Good and Community, to address challenges related to support within groups, exposure to hazards, and policy development. The author advocates for government initiatives, public policies, and the promotion of peace and global solidarity to improve health and economic conditions in affected areas. References to various academic sources are included to support the arguments presented.

Running head: HUMANITARIAN ISSUE
Humanitarian Issue
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The world has faced severe humanitarian crisis since the end of the Second World War. It
created drastic changes in the political, economic and social conditions in the four countries
which included- Syria, Sudan, South Somalia and Yemen (Morgan, Bapat & Kobayashi, 2014).
In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention here that without effective collaboration and
coordinated global efforts the prevailing conditions would exist in future and will bring mishaps
to the inhabitants. In my point of view the principle of common good was greatly contradicted as
a result of the ongoing conflict which is the current issue of concern to the nations. In this regard
it is worth mentioning that the security and the well being of the inhabitants are in stake which
largely negated the principles of common good. In this regard, my beliefs and ideas about the
principles of common good have been emphasized in order to provide deeper meaning towards
the attainment of common good. The lives of the individuals are greatly influenced by the
principles of justice which is deeply ingrained in social relationships (McGoldrick, 2014). In this
regard, it is noteworthy to mention here that one can progress towards the attainment of common
good through coordination, citizenship, collection action as well as active cooperation in public
service (Cremers, 2017). However, at the end of the Second World War, great crisis were
influenced by the inhabitants.
The nations witnessed the death of over one million children due to disease and starvation
which was as a result of the struggle for existence. According to my perspective, with the end of
the Second World War, the economic and social conditions of these countries have undergone
drastic changes and in order to improve their conditions there should have been coordinated
efforts both locally and globally. The local civilians made efforts to improve the condition
however without global assistance the social and economic conditions cannot be restored.
Therefore, it can be rightly stated that the principle of common good has been challenged both

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locally and globally as the nations failed to provide active participation and cooperation in
addressing the issues faced by the countries in distress during crisis.
In order to address the challenges of common good related to support within groups and
communities as a means of effective advocacy various important factors can be emphasized. In
my perspective, it is important that the government agencies must encourage active participation
of groups across geographical boundaries for the purpose of funding and developing community
projects. It is necessary on the part of the government agencies to determine the areas that have
been largely affected as a result of war. It is essential to provide effective advocacy in order to
undermine their interests and well being. In this regard the fifth principle of CST can be applied
which is the role of the Government and Subsidiary. According to this principle the motive of the
state is to protect human dignity in order to achieve common good. However, the functions of the
government are held by the principle of subsidiary. The second principle of CST which is
attainment of Common Good and Community can be significantly applied in order to address
such challenges. With the help of this principle the rights incorporated in relationship between
human communities can be realized (Bane, 2014). In order to contribute to the betterment of the
society and the community it is important to have love and feeling of togetherness for the
neighbors (Sekerák, 2016). Such factors contribute to the attainment of common good.
. In order to address the challenges related to exposure to hazards, a different approach of
advocacy can be involved. In this approach there can be an involvement of both social
connectedness and a sense of moral efficacy. In this regard, the fourth and fifth principles of CST
can be applied which are- Rights and Responsibilities and Role of the Government and
Subsidiary. According to these principles of CST human dignity can be protected and healthy
community can be attainted when responsibilities are shared among each other (McCann, 2014).

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Every individual possesses fundamental right to life and the basic necessities of shelter, food and
proper healthcare (Hrynkow & O'Hara, 2014). Therefore, in my perspective, it is necessary for
the part of the government and subsidiary to participate in various political institutions in order
to achieve goals towards the attainment of common good and human dignity.
According to my point of view, in order to address the challenges effectively it is vital on
the part of the government to develop and promote public policies. In this regard, it is
noteworthy to mention here that since time immemorial, various policies were developed by the
government which vastly affected community health. However, such policies were mainly
formulated by both governmental and non-governmental bodies such as corporations and
professional institutions. In my perspective, institution of policy involves a matter of advocacy.
However, it is important that such policies equally address the susceptibility, liability and
consequences arising as a result of conflict that has been creating unhealthy conditions for the
population.
In my perspective, there is a need to change policies which begins with the government
initiative. In this regard the legislators as well as the appointed official should take active
participation in order to improve health and development outcomes of the inhabitants suffered as
a result of war and crisis. In recent era the process of changing policies are often employed with
various difficulties. However, with the implementation of new policies, health and economic
conditions in the affected areas can be improved effectively in the long run. In this regard, it is
worth mentioning that the eighth and tenth principles of the CST can be applied in this regard
which involves- Promotion of Peace and Disarmament and Global Solidarity and Development.
Since time immemorial, Catholic teaching has promoted the significance of peace by stating that

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peace can not only be attained in the absence of war but also through mutual appreciation and
determination among the nations (Hill & Capella, 2014).

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References:
Bane, M. J. (2014). Catholic social teachings, American politics and inequality. Journal of
Catholic Social Thought, 11(2), 391-404.
Cremers, M. (2017). What corporate governance can learn from catholic social teaching. Journal
of Business Ethics, 145(4), 711-724.
Hill, R. P., & Capella, M. L. (2014). Impoverished consumers, Catholic social teaching, and
distributive justice. Journal of Business Research, 67(2), 32-41.
Hrynkow, C., & O'Hara, D. P. (2014). Catholic social teaching and climate justice from a peace
studies perspective: current practice, tensions, and promise. New Theology Review, 26(2),
23-32.
McCann, D. P. (2014). Who is responsible for the common good? Catholic social teaching and
the praxis of subsidiarity. In The common good: Chinese and American perspectives(pp.
261-289). Springer, Dordrecht.
McGoldrick, T. A. (2014). Episcopal conferences worldwide and catholic social thought, in
theory and praxis: an update. Theological Studies, 75(2), 376-403.
Morgan, T. C., Bapat, N., & Kobayashi, Y. (2014). Threat and imposition of economic sanctions
1945–2005: Updating the TIES dataset. Conflict Management and Peace Science, 31(5),
541-558.
Sekerák, M. (2016). Towards a worldwide (deliberative) democracy? Catholic social teaching
and the idea of global governance. Italian Political Science Review/Rivista Italiana di
Scienza Politica, 46(3), 291-311.

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