global economy

The dominant view has been that unfettered market economics would, without government intervention, do the work of bringing prosperity to all corners of the world.

However, recent economic and market failures have demonstrated that free markets won’t necessarily be fair markets. Put another way, persons working solely to advance their own self-interest will not automatically benefit others.

NETWORK believes:

• Market economics should be used to enhance the wellbeing of all people
• When market economics cannot or does not work to the benefit of all people, the situation should be remedied so that universal benefit can be achieved
• All who are impacted by trade and investment policies should have a hand in shaping them
• Trade and investment policies should protect the world’s natural resources and support sustainable development.

NETWORK believes in global economic systems that truly recognize all people as equal partners—where civil society, governments and corporations collaborate and are held accountable in creating healthy and sustainable communities where each person’s basic rights are met and protected.

Guided by Catholic Social Teaching principles such as universal human dignity, participation as a basic human right, and stewardship of God’s creation, NETWORK supports FAIR trade rather than FREE trade. It is time for a change in our trade policies.