Faith & Economics
NUMBER 56, Fall 2010

Introduction

Economics and Christian Reflections on Globalization
Andrew Yuengert

Economists, Theologians, and Globalization: An Exchange

The “Ecclesial” Critique of Globalization: Rethinking the Questions
James K.A. Smith

Globalization and the Common Good: An Economist’s Account for Skeptical Scholars
J. David Richardson

Evaluating the Good: A Reply to Richardson
James K.A. Smith

Globalization and the Common Good: An Initial Response to Smith
J. David Richardson

Missing an Opportunity that Never Was? A Final Response to Richardson
James K.A. Smith

A Closing Response to Smith
J. David Richardson

Articles

How Can You Be a Christian and an Economist? The Meaning of the Accra Declaration for Today
S. A. Du Plessis

Abstract: The Accra Declaration offers a narrow ideological interpretation of the modern economy and proceeds to reject neoliberalism as the ideological foundation thereof. This article, in its comment on the economy, argues for a less ideological approach to public theology, using a two-step argument. Firstly, neoliberalism is neither a coherent ideology nor a plausible historical narrative. Economists, who are the presumed architects of neoliberalism, do not recognize the propositions attributed to them by either the Accra Declaration or the critical literature on neoliberalism. Secondly, the Accra Declaration’s ideological framework causes it to misrepresent both the nature of modern economies and their objective results. An alternative, less ideological approach would allow the Church to appreciate both the strengths and the many problems of market economies, and would allow it to work with economists in resolving these instead of rejecting the insights of modern economics. 
JEL: A11, A13, B20
Keywords: Accra declaration, neoliberalism, public theology, market economies

Globalization: Guidance from Franciscan Economic Thought and Caritas in Veritate
Stefano Zamagni

Abstract: This essay pursues a threefold purpose: first, to sketch the historical period (eleventh century to fourteenth century Europe) that provides the backdrop to the formation of the Franciscan economic thought; second, to set out the principles governing that doctrine, with special reference to voluntarism in relation to economics and the discussion of usury, highlighting its originality and its relevance to the real problems of the day; and lastly, to discuss the essential reasons for the resurgence of interest, today, in the Franciscan point of view. To this regard, the recent Papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate—whose theological roots are basically Franciscan—will be taken as a reference point to show the fecundity of that line of thought in meeting the challenges to our society posed by globalization and by the present economic crisis.

Caritas in Veritate: Pope Benedict’s Two Cheers for Globalization
Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach

Book Reviews

Health Care for Us All: Getting More for Our Investment
by Earl L. Grinols and James W. Henderson
Reviewed by Kenneth L. Leonard

Globalization and Grace: A Christian Public Theology for a Global Future
by Max L. Stackhouse
Reviewed by J. David Richardson

Economic Justice in a Flat World: Christian Perspectives on Globalization
by Steven Rundle, Editor
Reviewed by Robin Klay

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor … and Yourself
by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
Reviewed by Paul E. McNamara

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
by Niall Ferguson
Reviewed by John Stapleford

Foundations of Economics: A Christian View
Shawn Ritenour
Reviewed by K. Brad Stamm