12 Feb 08
Originally posted by NemesioMakes sense. I guess I just never realized that.
It's a monarchy, led by the Pope.
Nemesio
It seems like a relatively successful one, in terms of not being a completely miserable place to live.
Any thoughts about why this is? Maybe:
- its size
- its cultural homogeny
- its wealth
- the benevolence of popes
- its global accountability to Catholics
- its proximity to other decent nations
- its particular religious tenets and the degree to which they are in accord with a morally just government
12 Feb 08
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesThat's what happens when you've finished plundering Europe for hundreds of years and you've only got 800 people. Lots of wealth per capita.
Makes sense. I guess I just never realized that.
It seems like a relatively successful one, in terms of not being a completely miserable place to live.
Any thoughts about why this is? Maybe:
- its size
- its cultural homogeny
- its wealth
- the benevolence of popes
- its global accountability to Catholics
- its proximity to other dece ...[text shortened]... cular religious tenets and the degree to which they are in accord with a morally just government
12 Feb 08
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettPerhaps the wealth per capita along with a somewhat equitable distribution is key.
That's what happens when you've finished plundering Europe for hundreds of years and you've only got 800 people. Lots of wealth per capita.
I had rejected wealth alone as an explanation, in light of other theocracies like Saudi Arabia which have effectively unlimited wealth. There, the wealth per capita is large, but it is distributed among a small portion of a large population.
12 Feb 08
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesWhen you've got less than a thousand citizens, almost all of whom are your employees, then I'd say it's a bit easier for the wealth to spread around. It's much more difficult with a population of 25 million. Besides, Christian doctrine does have many passages in the bible that speak against wealth and encourage spreading some of that around.
Perhaps the wealth per capita along with a somewhat equitable distribution is key.
I had rejected wealth alone as an explanation, in light of other theocracies like Saudi Arabia which have effectively unlimited wealth. There, the wealth per capita is large, but it is distributed among a small portion of a large population.
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12 Feb 08
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI'm not sure how successful you can describe the Vatican City when it has only existed....seventy years. Before then, the Church governed most of central Italy, known as the Papal States.
Makes sense. I guess I just never realized that.
It seems like a relatively successful one, in terms of not being a completely miserable place to live.
Any thoughts about why this is? Maybe:
- its size
- its cultural homogeny
- its wealth
- the benevolence of popes
- its global accountability to Catholics
- its proximity to other dece ...[text shortened]... cular religious tenets and the degree to which they are in accord with a morally just government
And it is a miserable place to live. Visits might be enjoyable, but residence intolerable. There is a lot of crime (especially thievery) and very little meat.
13 Feb 08
1 edit
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesWell, how do you define success, and 'completely miserable'?
It seems like a relatively successful one, in terms of not being a completely miserable place to live.
Maybe the answer is that they get rid of anyone who might be miserable there - atheists for example. However I am sure that some of its residents are not happy.
The answer is almost certainly a combination of factors including:
1. Most of its residents chose to be there.
2. It is a welfare state where the money does not come from taxes!
3. A single, common religion does reduce conflict.
For wealthy or well educated people, many countries in the world are not completely miserable places to live.
13 Feb 08
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesThe pope is alleged to be the vicar of Christ in direct line from Peter. The pope's declarations are alleged to be equal to God's own words.
Inform me. Is the Catholic Church itself or one of its offices entirely responsible for the governing of Vatican City, or is it governed by an independent entity?
It seems to me to be a theocracy.