Intercultural dialogue is something that can only be achieved with the development of the economies of the world. Gaudium et Spes states that “the duty most consonant with our times, especially for Christians, is that of working diligently for fundamental decisions to be taken in economic and political affairs, both on the national and international level”(GS 60).
The development of economic and political affairs are essential for the development of culture, and later intercultural development. Without a healthy, uplifting economy, it is nearly impossible for cultural developments to occur. Gaudium et Spes, written during the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s, notes that “The increase of commerce between the various nations and human groups opens more widely to all the treasures of different civilizations and thus little by little, there develops a more universal form of human culture”(54). After World War II, there was massive economic growth that spurred trade and with it, intercultural dialogue, as shown by Hans Rosling in this video.
With the development of economies, comes the development of culture. Much of the economic developments that occur bring a reduction in the average amount of work that a person does. Gaudium et Spes notices that “With more or less generalized reduction of working hours, the leisure time of most men has increased. May this leisure be used properly to relax, to fortify the health of soul and body through spontaneous study activity…to establish fraternal relations among men of all conditions, nations and races”(61). The development of the economies provides the opportunity of fostering intercultural dialogue, and indeed prompts intercultural dialogue through trade and commerce.
I guess I had never really thought about the connection between economy and intercultural dialogue. You make some good points though as to why we need to consider that relationship more as it could be a contributing factor to helping us bring about better intercultural dialogue. The ability to trade with other countries has been a wonderful development that came about in order to help us open this dialogue. And if we have an economic boom, and therefore less working hours needed per person, then that will be good. But I believe there is a warning in Gaudium et Spes that comes with this additional leisure time: if we do not use it to better the soul and better the world, and instead use it selfishly, then we are wasting our time and dooming the world.
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