ZAPOMNIANE WARTOŚCI: CHRZEŚCIJAŃSKIE SPOJRZENIE NA KRYZYS FINANSOWY

The unfolding financial and economic crisis keeps unveiling aspects of the working of the global economy that went unad¬dressed and suggests that our understand¬ing of the world economy and finance is still inadequate, with critical elements either false or missing. Part I shows how the mutual relationship between States and Markets has progressively changed since the end of WWII to the advantage of Markets. Part II examines some dominant features of the world economy in light of these systemic changes and identifies a number of deepening asymmetries which may be attributed to these changes. ‘Asymmetry’ means a lack of balance, or pro¬portion; even possibly a lack of justice. The Christian perspective considers the di¬mension of justice and the actions that may be needed for the common good. Part III discuss¬es the anthropological, social, and economic content of the notion of the Common Good and identifies directions for action inspired by Catholic Social Teaching which would help to mitigate or even correct some of the most flagrant asymmetries and denials of justice in finance .