Toward a More Just Economy: Reflections on Anthony Annett, Catholic Social Teaching, and Bahá’í Principles

In Reflections on Anthony Annett’s Cathonomics, Augusto Lopez-Claros engages critically and constructively with Annett’s proposal for a more just economy grounded in Catholic social thought. He endorses many of Annett’s policy suggestions– such as social safety nets, progressive taxation, and solidarity-based economic measures — but argues for an even broader framework. Lopez-Claros emphasises the crucial role of gender equality, showing through empirical data how the economic and political empowerment of women enhances financial resilience, reduces corruption, and fosters inclusive growth. He also highlights structural issues like regressive subsidies and poor governance environments as drivers of inequality. Expanding the scope further, Lopez-Claros calls for urgent reform of global governance structures, rooted in both practical necessity and spiritual principles drawn from the Bahá’í Faith, to address the interconnected challenges of inequality, climate change, nuclear threats, and global injustice. The essay concludes by proposing that economics must be reoriented toward the expansion of human capacities and spiritual progress, aligning with both Catholic and Bahá’í visions of the common good.