For the Common Good

by Jane Hanna, former president of the Witherspoon Society

[1-31-03]


My religious values and the public policies of my country are at odds. This conflict is uncomfortable. The biblical message I learned over a lifetime of Presbyterian teaching is that God loves all humanity, the whole of cosmic creation and we are to do likewise. We are born citizens of the world. That we are also born in nations is humanity's doing, not God's.

As the cost of running for public office has risen with each decade, administrations and congress are more strongly influenced by the interests of campaign contributors than by public interest. Large corporations whose leaders give the biggest share of these "donations" then exercise power to shape and control legislation. The question becomes, and perhaps has always been, by what criteria should public decisions be made? How do we evaluate the policies and practices of societies? It seems to me that the biblical message, in simple terms, would be to judge by what is best for the "common good."

Most religious faiths are based on the need to create just and harmonious communities. The most fundamental beliefs within spiritual/theological traditions are grounded in how people treat one another, that God requires justice, equity, and compassion. Peace and social justice would be the natural hallmarks of societies following God's will. That history has not adhered very well to these traditions and intentions is no reason for discarding the ideals. It is not too late, although some would say the world is getting close. How would America's relationship to the rest of the world look if biblical values were strictly adhered to? How would our own communities fare? I don't mean that someone or some authorities would monitor behavior. We seem to be headed in that direction for entirely different reasons and goals. I mean structuring our economic and political systems in ways that ensure basic necessities for a meaningful life would be available for all, both within our nation and worldwide.

The United States currently has the power and means to lead the nations in such a direction. American interests control the most relevant economic and political decisions affecting the globe. Our nation dominates the world economy, the United Nations Security Council, military power, and all the global institutions in which the U.S. participates. US influence over major decisions impacting the economies and levels of conflict in the world have never been so great. Too often, however, policies claimed in the "national interest" are frequently for commercial interests.

Rather than withdraw from international treaties, a biblically based response would be to strengthen them and hold nations accountable to one another for compliance. The US once led efforts to contain the proliferation of weapons and their escalating capacity to kill, to keep space free of weapons. There no longer seems a commitment to the destruction of landmines littering the landscapes of previous conflicts, or decreasing environmental abuse. We refuse to cooperate in an international justice system and no longer support international agreements on biological and chemical weapons. Pledges for relief of poor country debts and monetary assistance for AIDS afflicted populations have not been as forthcoming as promised.

Regrettably, we have accepted ideological mythologies that help drive and support economic injustice and military dominance in much of the world. There is the notion that democracy and free markets go hand in hand, particularly that capitalism will automatically be followed by democracy. Close observation indicates that until people are economically secure, their democratic rights are clearly curtailed. Does a culture of individualism, free-market economics, unbridled consumerism and survival -of-the-fittest social policies define the values of our citizenry? Do we really believe that "free trade," competition, and economic growth will benefit all?

Many of the dimensions of globalization can benefit humanity and have created great possibilities for people around the world to join hands for the wellbeing of all. Unfortunately, the most powerful aspect of globalization, a corporate-led economic system, is having an enormous negative impact on people everywhere. World trade was extolled as the means by which millions would be lifted from poverty. Instead, the number of desperately poor increases daily while the wealth of the world is controlled by an ever-smaller percentage of the human family. Unjust trade agreements such as NAFTA are to blame for much of the contrast to the affluent future that was touted. This is largely because of the way trade agreements are written and enforced. They are heavily weighted in favor of rich countries and transnational corporations who dominate world trade and write the rules to protect their markets.

The current economic system searches for the cheapest labor, taking jobs and adequate pay from richer countries to the poorest. Protections for labor and the environment are missing in most agreements and seldom enforced. The spread of huge market chains and fast-food restaurants wipes out the family owned businesses that traditionally supported a middle class in poorer countries. The welfare of workers and consumers is low on a list of priorities when profit is the predominate value.

When 35,000 people die of starvation every day, can we blithely thank God for our blessings as though we're more deserving than are those who struggle and perish? Early in the biblical narrative of God's relationship to humanity, we read of manna which nourished the Israelites on their long desert trek. The heart of that story is God's command that there be enough for everyone, that food rotted for those taking more than needed. God's instructions included a Sabbath Day and Jubilee Year for canceling debts to free people from the bondage of poverty. The prophets consistently called the people to honor God's intentions for the well being of all. They spoke out against the political, economic and ecclesiastical systems that caused poverty and injustice. Jesus began his ministry by quoting the words of Isaiah about bringing good news to the poor, liberty to captives and setting free the oppressed. His sermons and parables addressed the evil of injustice.

A biblically modeled economic system would affirm the eradication of poverty as its major goal. Because the United States is presently the most powerful nation in the world we can and should be the leading proponents for more equity in the way nations interrelate. The time is right, while we have the potential, to develop an economic system and trade agreements for the benefit of the "common good." A strengthened United Nations represented by people rather than nations would be the democratic and transparent way for major global decisions to be made. Allowing the richest nations to have the most influence neglects the needs of the poorest. Indigenous people and those in highly populated countries are marginalized and seldom heard.

Together, the international community should be assessing the world's resources upon which all life depends and plan together how to allocate them so all people have access to enough clean water, nutritious food, shelter, health care, education, and meaningful work at a living wage. Some say it is naïve to think it could be achieved. How do we know when it has rarely been tried? The Bible indicates it is God's intention. I trust God's promise that there is enough for all.

Jane Hanna

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