New Financial Horizons

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Economy of Communion

"Gold examines the origins and substance of a promising alternative to the current globalized economy. During a 1991 trip to Brazil, Chiara Lubich challenged Focolare members to launch businesses that could create jobs and opportunities. Almost twenty years later, Benedict XVI cited the Economy of Communion in Caritas in Veritate as a promising form of intermediate activity between for-profit business and classic non-profit institutions."

 John L. Allen Jr. 

“What Gold has provided … is a theologically grounded understanding of a robust culture that has the capacity to engage the whole human person as a unity to overcome the divisive effects of a fragmented and divided self in economic life. It not only tells the story of the Economy of Communion, but it provides a model for entrepreneurs and managers who are interested in building communities of work and not merely nexuses of exchange. It is a book that should be widely read in the U.S., especially in the academy, which too often lacks such integrative and interdisciplinary analysis between theoretical visions and practical experience.”

Michael J. Naughton
Moss Chair of Catholic Social Thought
University of St. Thomas, MN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lorna Gold currently works as Policy and Advocacy Manager with the Irish Catholic Agency for International Development, Trócaire. Before joining Trócaire, she received a Ph.D. in Economic Geography from the University of Glasgow and worked in the Department of Politics in the University of York. She writes extensively on global economic and social development, with a particular focus on the contribution of Christian social thought in addressing the challenges of ethical globalization.

CONTENTS

Foreword

1. In Search of a New Economic Vision
          
          Introduction
          A Multi-faceted Global Crisis
                  Economic Recession
                  Social Inequality
                   Environmental Threat
                   Political Instability
           A Crisis with Deep Roots
                   Key Considerations
                   The Problem of Trust
           The Problem of Imagination
                   Market-based Alternatives
           The Role of Religion in Economy
            The Economy of Communion
            Notes

2. A Global Community: The Focolare Movement

Introduction
How the Focolare Spread
Spreading by Example
Current Focolare Activities
Ecumenical Dialogue: “A Dialogue of Life”
Organizational Structures
         Local Focolare Centers
         Model Towns
         Global Focolare Center
A Trinitarian Perspective
A Vision of One World
Conclusion
Notes

3. An Alternative Economic Vision

Introduction
Trust in Providence
The “Communion of Goods”
           Redistribution in the Trent Community
A “Culture of Giving”
A New Economic Ethic
            Economic Ethic of the Focolare
Conclusion
Notes

4. The Evolution of the Economy of Communion

Introduction
Globalization and the “Communion of Goods”
         “No Poor among Us”
Araceli, Brazil, May 1991
          The Challenge of Centesimus Annus
Ideas for New Businesses
“Creating” a New Economy
            Profit Sharing
            Widespread Ownership
            Business Parks
Global Networks
How EOC Profits are Shared
          Geographical Redistribution
          Local-Global Distribution Networks
Direct Assistance to those in Need
Assistance Via Azione Mondo Unito
           Centrality of Trust
Conclusion
Notes

5. EOC Ventures around the World

Introduction
Types of EOC Ventures
“New” Businesses
“Reformed” Businesses
EOC Co-operatives
Business Parks
Conclusion

6. Spirituality and the Economy of Communion Businesses

Introduction
             Ethical Standards
Spirituality in Business
             A Spiritual Calling
Trust in Providence
The Business as a “Hearth”
Balancing Spirituality and Professionalism
Conclusion
Notes

7. Transforming Business Space

Introduction
Changing Internal Business Practices
             Pay Structure
             Recruitment Policies
             Participative Management
             Action to Promote Community Spirit
Changes in External Relations
             Relationship with Clients/Suppliers
             Attitudes to Competition
             Environmental Considerations
             Legal Considerations
The Structure of Corporate Ownership
              Remaking the Role of Shareholders
Transforming Business Space
Conclusion
Notes

8. Making Space for Communion: Local — Global Networks

Introduction
Emerging “EOC Spaces”
              Support Networks
              Commercial Networks
Cultural and Academic Networks
Relationship between the Businesses and Focolare
Conclusion
Notes

9. Rethinking “Rational Economic Man”: Lessons from the EOC

Introduction
“Rational Economic Man” — A Cultural Construct
                The Economic and the Cultural within the Focolare
                Underlying Tensions
Nature of Products and Services
Notes

10. Challenging Perceptions of Justice: The Needs of “Distant Strangers”

Introduction
How Far Should Our Care Extend?
                Theories of Social Justice
Egalitarianism, Impartiality and the EOC
The EOC and Feminist Conceptions of Social Justice
Universalizing the EOC
A Global Ethic
Conclusion
Notes

Bibliography