Proposals: The Industry Council Plan

One of the more ambitious proposals for ameliorating the conflict and insecurity of modem economic life is the industry council plan. This proposal has been most fully developed by Catholic writers; therefore, its discussion would best begin by a consideration of Catholic economic ideas. In many respects, Catholic attitudes toward economic questions are similar to those expressed in Protestant pronouncements. For example, Catholic doctrine, as applied to American conditions, opposes the extremes of both laissez-faire capitalism and communism; it emphasizes the concept of stewardship and social responsibility in the use of personal talents and private property; it criticizes the profit