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Fraternity as mutual aid or mutual assistance? From political fraternity to Economics of Francesco

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  • Cristián Hodge

    (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto de Éticas Aplicadas y Facultad de Teología)

Abstract

The objective of this article is twofold: (i) to rethink economics and politics from fraternity perspective. And, on the other hand, (ii) to highlight the contributions of some authors from the Economy of Francesco (EoF) to the proposal of a fraternal economy and a fraternal economics. How can fraternity be conceived in the current version of capitalism, amidst inequalities and the environmental crisis? Firstly, the concept of political fraternity is presented, and how Ángel Puyol understands mutual aid; secondly, it is shown how Stefano Zamagni proposes the principle of fraternity from the paradigm of Civil Economy, not only for economic life, but also for economic thought; thirdly, what Luigino Bruni and Robert Sugden postulate about market relations that would be fraternal, where mutual assistance is understood as team reasoning, is presented; fourthly, what some of the authors from Economy of Francesco write about fraternity, about we-rationality, and about its political dimension are analysed; Finally, some conclusions of the study are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristián Hodge, 2025. "Fraternity as mutual aid or mutual assistance? From political fraternity to Economics of Francesco," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 72(2), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:72:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s12232-025-00497-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-025-00497-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Federica Nalli, 2023. "What Mutual Assistance Is, and What It Could Be in the Contemporary World," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(4), pages 1041-1053, February.
    2. Bruni, Luigino & Sugden, Robert, 2008. "Fraternity: Why The Market Need Not Be A Morally Free Zone," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(1), pages 35-64, March.
    3. Severine Deneulin, 2024. "Social equity and care for the earth: tensions and synergies in Latin America," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(4), pages 347-359, October.
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    5. Federica Nalli, 2021. "Robert Sugden’s theory of team reasoning: a critical reconstruction," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(1), pages 21-40, March.
    6. Serge-Christophe Kolm & Jean Mercier-Ythier, 2006. "Handbook of the economics of giving, altruism and reciprocity. Volume 1 : Foundations," Post-Print hal-00279613, HAL.
    7. Zamagni, Stefano, 2021. "The quest for an axiological reorientation of economic science," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 391-401.
    8. Serge-Christophe Kolm & Jean Mercier-Ythier, 2006. "Handbook of the economics of giving, altruism and reciprocity. Volume 2 : Applications," Post-Print hal-03806448, HAL.
    9. Samuel Bowles & Herbert Gintis, 2002. "The Inheritance of Inequality," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 16(3), pages 3-30, Summer.
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    • B00 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - General - - - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches

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