17 April 2009
Christian contribution to business and economics
Because of the speaking engagement on 18th May (see previous blog entry) I have been asked twice recently about the contribution that Christianity and Christian values can make to business life and to the world of economics. This caused me to write the following brief reflection.
It seems to me that the wealth of the Western world has, in large part, grown out of its religious (primarily Christian) values. The deterioration we have witnessed in those values over recent decades has been a major factor leading to the credit crunch. I don’t believe that we will find any lasting solutions to our economic problems before religious and ethical considerations are once again given far more prominence in our society and public life.
In particular we need a society where co-operation in building up the common good, takes precedent over competitive considerations. This requires a fundamental change in attitude! Competition has a useful function of controlling costs and ensuring efficiency. However this can only contribute positively to society of it takes place in the context of co-operation and a common vision at the top end of our society. Top people, (top business people, politicians, professionals) have a responsibility to work together for the good of all society. Excessive competition between top people has the effect of pulling society apart, just as we have seen our financial services sector pulled apart. Competition between top people also seems to increase pay and other costs, rather than control them.
We need to find ways of encouraging top people to co-operate in building a society that benefits everyone. The way that top people are paid is very relevant here because often it is higher pay that causes top people to compete with each other. The hope of higher pay can encourage top people to develop new agendas (for example setting up new investment funds) which might pay well, but do not actually benefit society. There is therefore a case for a cap on pay, which affects top people only. It should apply only to pay received for working for others as employees or as people who owe a fiduciary duty to others. Entrepreneurs should not be affected. People who want to become seriously rich should be encouraged to set up and grow their own businesses.
The management of risk also needs reform. Risks must be shared in a way that provides proper incentives to mitigate risk; they cannot simply traded away or insured away. Banks must take direct responsibility for the risks associated with the loans that they make. They should be able to evaluate and control these risks better than insurers. Banks should take proper account of the limitations of using of credit rating agencies. There is a serious conflict of interest associated with the issuing of a credit rating. Also, when making a loan, a bank needs to know if others are also making loans on the back of the same credit rating. Banks therefore need a far more traditional relationship with the people they lend money to.
Greed within general management must be constrained so that managers (especially top managers) are working primarily for the benefit of their company members (shareholders) rather than for themselves. Greed especially needs to be constrained in the financial services sector, where the top priority should be maintaining the health of the financial system as a whole. The second priority should be serving the genuine needs of the clients. Both of these activities must take much higher priority than maximising the profit of the financial services firm. A cap on pay could be helpful in constraining greed in these situations and restoring focus on fiduciary duty.
All these changes require far more attention to relationships, working together and values that are held in common at the top of our society. This is where I believe that the religions can contribute something extremely valuable to society and to the economy in particular.
It seems to me that the wealth of the Western world has, in large part, grown out of its religious (primarily Christian) values. The deterioration we have witnessed in those values over recent decades has been a major factor leading to the credit crunch. I don’t believe that we will find any lasting solutions to our economic problems before religious and ethical considerations are once again given far more prominence in our society and public life.
In particular we need a society where co-operation in building up the common good, takes precedent over competitive considerations. This requires a fundamental change in attitude! Competition has a useful function of controlling costs and ensuring efficiency. However this can only contribute positively to society of it takes place in the context of co-operation and a common vision at the top end of our society. Top people, (top business people, politicians, professionals) have a responsibility to work together for the good of all society. Excessive competition between top people has the effect of pulling society apart, just as we have seen our financial services sector pulled apart. Competition between top people also seems to increase pay and other costs, rather than control them.
We need to find ways of encouraging top people to co-operate in building a society that benefits everyone. The way that top people are paid is very relevant here because often it is higher pay that causes top people to compete with each other. The hope of higher pay can encourage top people to develop new agendas (for example setting up new investment funds) which might pay well, but do not actually benefit society. There is therefore a case for a cap on pay, which affects top people only. It should apply only to pay received for working for others as employees or as people who owe a fiduciary duty to others. Entrepreneurs should not be affected. People who want to become seriously rich should be encouraged to set up and grow their own businesses.
The management of risk also needs reform. Risks must be shared in a way that provides proper incentives to mitigate risk; they cannot simply traded away or insured away. Banks must take direct responsibility for the risks associated with the loans that they make. They should be able to evaluate and control these risks better than insurers. Banks should take proper account of the limitations of using of credit rating agencies. There is a serious conflict of interest associated with the issuing of a credit rating. Also, when making a loan, a bank needs to know if others are also making loans on the back of the same credit rating. Banks therefore need a far more traditional relationship with the people they lend money to.
Greed within general management must be constrained so that managers (especially top managers) are working primarily for the benefit of their company members (shareholders) rather than for themselves. Greed especially needs to be constrained in the financial services sector, where the top priority should be maintaining the health of the financial system as a whole. The second priority should be serving the genuine needs of the clients. Both of these activities must take much higher priority than maximising the profit of the financial services firm. A cap on pay could be helpful in constraining greed in these situations and restoring focus on fiduciary duty.
All these changes require far more attention to relationships, working together and values that are held in common at the top of our society. This is where I believe that the religions can contribute something extremely valuable to society and to the economy in particular.
Labels: capital, Christian, competition, cooperation, top people
05 April 2009
Event notification - "Redeeming the Market ?"
Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility West Midlands
Invites you to
Redeeming the Market ?
Introduced by
Reverend John Johansen Berg
With
Father Patrick Gerard author of ‘Performance & Reward'
The Bonus Culture, its impact on companies, relationship and behaviour
&
Professor Chris Mallin of Corporate Governance & Finance.
Issues of ownership and control – the evolving role of shareholders
4.30pm – 6.30pm on Monday 18th May
@ Carrs Lane Church Centre
(Carrs Lane, B4 7SX)
Carrs Lane Church Centre is located opposite Moor Street Station, for more details please visit their website
http://www.carrslane.co.uk/
For more information please contact Barbara Hayes at cigb@birmingham.anglican.org
Invites you to
Redeeming the Market ?
Introduced by
Reverend John Johansen Berg
With
Father Patrick Gerard author of ‘Performance & Reward'
The Bonus Culture, its impact on companies, relationship and behaviour
&
Professor Chris Mallin of Corporate Governance & Finance.
Issues of ownership and control – the evolving role of shareholders
4.30pm – 6.30pm on Monday 18th May
@ Carrs Lane Church Centre
(Carrs Lane, B4 7SX)
Carrs Lane Church Centre is located opposite Moor Street Station, for more details please visit their website
http://www.carrslane.co.uk/
For more information please contact Barbara Hayes at cigb@birmingham.anglican.org
