Category - economics

When risk gives way to superstition

Giles Fraser — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:53:35 +0100

Faith in mathematical modelling looks little more than hubris after the recent economic collapse, says Giles Fraser. The unknown cannot be so easily tamed, as any half-decent theologian would know.

New aid agency report challenges prevailing economic orthodoxies

staff writers — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:21:26 +0100

A new report from Christian Aid argues that policy makers must address the de-regulation, liberalisation and privatisation that poor countries have had to endure for the last few decades.

Faith leaders' summit will precede major G20 meeting in US

staff writers — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:35:07 +0100

A major Faith Leaders Summit will precede the G20 Summit of world leaders in Pittsburgh, United States, setting out a priority agenda for tackling poverty and environmental damage.

Archbishop challenged on fresh approach to economics and banking

staff writers — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:45:18 +0100

Archbishop Rowan Williams says that those complicit in the financial system seem to feel no "repentance" for their excesses, and a different type of economics is needed. But C of E investments are under scrutiny too.

Church should invest in alternative economics

Press Office — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:40:27 +0100

Responding to recent remarks by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia commented:

Adair Turner and more than just capital

Simon Barrow — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:25:05 +0100

The financial regulator who recently called for a Tobin-like tax on banking is unapologetic about the fuss he caused, and determined to re-interate basic questions about what economics really is.

Finding new hope in bankruptcy

Giles Fraser — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:39:58 +0100

Bankruptcy is on the increase, says Giles Fraser. There is tragedy in economic brokenness, but also hope. Debt forgiveness has the whiff of salvation and biblical Jubilee about it.

City and main parties unite to attack Tobin tax proposal

staff writers — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:16:44 +0100

City financiers and Britain’s three largest political parties have reacted with horror to the idea of a banking tax proposed by the head of the Financial Services Authority.

Religion and recession brings together church and academy

staff writers — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:02:11 +0100

Religion, the church and the global recession is the focus of an international conference featuring economists, theologians and philosophers at the University of Nottingham.

Where is the Church of England’s heart invested?

Jonathan Bartley and Simon Barrow — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:39:25 +0100

The Church of England has recently lost £1.3 billion through its investments in shares and property. Yet it still has huge assets as well as large responsibilities. This paper looks at some of the difficulties and contradictions of the Church's investment and finance policy, particularly the dislocation of financial decision making from integral mission and economic justice, which is both practically and theologically deficient. Acknowledging both the good intentions towards ethical practice and the constraints imposed by the legal and Established framework of the C of E, the paper argues that for Christian churches, economics needs to be re-located in the subversive and alternative calling of a Gospel community in an unjust world. It suggests there are many positive ways forward. The paper is authored by Jonathan Bartley and Simon Barrow.

staff writers