What is government for? In the political turbulence of these times, we need a vision of the role and purpose of government that goes beyond the economic and pragmatic.
One of the outstanding political philosophers and theologians of the last 100 years remains Archbishop William Temple. In his pamphlet, Christianity and Social Order, published towards the end of 1942, Temple set out a compelling vision for the provision of universal access to healthcare, education, decent housing, proper working conditions and adequate leisure time.
Temple’s booklet influenced William Beveridge, whose Beveridge Report, focused on tackling the five ‘giant evils’ of squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease, set the agenda for post-war politics and the creation of the welfare state. We continue to live with its legacy today, of which the NHS is the most obvious part.
In setting out his proposals, Temple knew he might stir up controversy. He wrote to the economist John Maynard Keynes seeking his advice on whether he should publish such a vision or not.
Keynes was unequivocal in urging the archbishop on. Why? Because, Keynes argued, the ordering of society and the economy was a matter of ethics.
For Keynes and for Temple, economics and the role of government wasn’t simply about how to enable growth and create jobs, important as these things are. It was about the relationships between producer and consumer, between employer and employee, and the importance of work and opportunity in shaping personal responsibility and identity. In the end, they argued, politics and economics must be about public ethics and the values society wishes to embody and live by.
Temple’s work was snapped up by the public. Over 139,000 copies of Christianity and Social Order were sold. Three things stand out.
First, Temple argued that the church must articulate a vision for what a just and healthy society should look like, and point out where the social order falls short of that vision. Temple was clear: it is not for the church to provide detailed answers for how the vision might be fulfilled. That, he argued, requires technical knowledge and political decisions. Instead, the church is to be like a signpost, offering direction, challenge and a goal. The choice of journey and the route to be followed is then a matter for political debate, personal choice and public policy.
Secondly, Temple argued that society must be ordered on the premise that everyone has value and must be given the freedom to grow to maturity. Whereas current notions of freedom are often couched in terms of individual autonomy and personal choice, Temple suggested that true freedom is about self-control, self-determination and self-direction. It is the freedom to make a positive difference in the life of others, whether family, friends, neighbours or wider society. It is the freedom to serve. So, Temple suggested, ‘society must be so arranged as to give every citizen the maximum opportunity for making deliberate choices and the best possible training for use of that opportunity’.
Finally, Temple argued for everyone taking responsibility for the welfare of the nation. He argued that a ‘welfare society’ was a necessary counterpart to a welfare state. Such a society was to be guided by principles of service, duty and actively seeking the wellbeing of one another. These values were to underpin the life of a healthy society and a healthy body politic. Addressing the church, he wrote that Christians in particular must take a lead in assuming ‘responsibility as citizens for the political, social and economic system under which they and their fellows live’.
As we mark the 80th anniversary of the Beveridge Report and Temple’s Christianity and Social Order, things have moved on considerably. But I pose the question whether in Temple’s vision there might be nuggets of wisdom to draw on as we seek a clear vision of what government and politics are for.
Revd Canon Dr Andrew Braddock
Interim Dean of Gloucester
News Hub
This is excellent, Andrew: thank you so much for such a considered piece! I heard of Archbishop Temple through our vicar when my Mum was so ill, and he helped me a lot…how good that you have resurrected him! Folk need to read wisdom, especially at the moment, and he certainly offers that…..as he also offers hope: essential!
Thank you again: hope you have many replies to your cheering words!
Every best wish, and God bless you, ever,
Chris
Really enjoyed reading this, Andrew. I have felt strongly over recent months that God is calling His Church to be a stronger prophetic voice to the nation, challenging injustice, loving mercy and walking humbly in faith. Whenever we apply Scripture to such situations in society, we are living out that prophetic voice. William Temple has particular interest for me, as my great uncle, Thomas, was his Children’s Missioner when Temple was Bishop of Manchester. I have followed the writings both of great uncle Tom and of William Temple, therefore, with interest. His thoughts are relevant today and his stance challenges the church of today to be that stronger prophetic voice of society. Many thanks for the article, Andrew.
An excellent article, thank you Andrew.
Archbishop William Temple was not only a voice for his time, but, I would suggest, is a voice that needs to be heard in our time too.
Every blessing, Jacqueline
Archbishop Temple was a great man and perhaps the outstanding Archbishop of the 20thC. But he was still a man of his time. In 1942 in the midst of total war, British people had come to accept an unprecedented degree of state control over their lives. Are we (80 years later) as confident as Temple and Keynes were (and the Atlee government, too) that the state is always a benevolent and efficient custodian of its citizens’ money?
Although Temple left the ‘how’ question hanging in the air, Christian proposals to improve society always do in practice seem to be based on calling for more state spending, intervention and control.
What a wonderful article. Let there be more Archbishop William Temples! Government should definitely have his ethical values (as should we all)!
Amen, Amen and again I say Amen!
Thank you. This seems so relevant in our current times and is a clear challenge to those of us who are part of the church to more clearly play that role in civic society.
Just what we all have been needing to hear in the public realm especially since the increasing madness, sleeze, corruption and self-centredness of those that govern since Brexit.
Hi Andrew,
Slightly late with my thanks after holiday, such an excellent piece with my food for thought.