Economics has always had a moral dimension; even free-market mascot Adam Smith was a Christian minister. Yet recent events have renewed and recast theological reflection on the economy as the gospel of prosperity succumbs to large-scale economic crisis. In that light, Joerg Rieger explores the many dimensions of today's economic crisis.
What are the fundamental shifts taking place in the global economy today, and how are they affecting provision for basic human needs, economic equity, and people's prospects? Is there a foundational flaw in the market logic? How can we promote or ensure equity in face of increased disparities of wealth and income, rising unemployment and displacement? What gives us hope and what keeps us going when things no longer go as well for us as we had been led to expect?
- A theological assessment of market economics
- A moral scorecard on the effects of economic globalization
- A primer on the relationship between economic theory and theology