Political Philosophy of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Augustine: Natural Law and Universalism
St. Augustine posits that Christianity is rooted in universalism, asserting that all individuals are equal under one Lord. The distinction between Jew and Greek is abolished, and the faithful are called to complete submission to political authorities, respecting all existing pagan hierarchies.
Eschatology and the Two Cities
Eschatology, the doctrine concerning the afterlife, operates on two levels: nature and grace. The human process of seeking truth brings the soul closer to God. The degradation of human nature necessitates the natural grace of God, a concept supported by the early chapters of Genesis.
Augustine describes two contrasting cities: the City of God (the saints) and the City of Man (the wicked).
Spiritual vs. Temporal Governance
The moral space of the subject is defined by the soul, where the primary tool is charity. Conversely, the temporal world relies on physical jurisdiction, where the primary tool is the sword. This distinction is ordained by God, separating spiritual government, guided by the Holy Spirit, from temporal government.
St. Thomas Aquinas: Reason and the Common Good
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote within a context of social mobility and rigid theocracy. He follows the Augustinian line of integration but introduces distinct nuances regarding eternal law, where God is the maximum ratio of existence.
Virtue and Divine Intent
- The current state of man is the result of God's intentions.
- The unbeliever possesses the means to act with virtue.
- Charity is granted to sinful men for two fundamental purposes:
- To heal sinful nature and draw closer to God through natural love.
- To elevate human nature beyond the limits of reason, allowing the creature to participate in a superior fate.
Thomist Political Philosophy
In Thomist philosophy, the state is not sovereign; it is subordinate to the power of God through the common good. All power originates from God, and the ideal political system is one where all citizens participate in governance.