Full Description
This book proposes a new approach to economics, starting from the commons and based on the Economy of Francesco (EoF), a worldwide movement of young people who aim to change the current economic models and working towards a fair, sustainable, and inclusive economic system. EoF was convened by Pope Francis and is inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, featuring Franciscan economic roots and institutions, as well as theories of the social sciences.
The authors raise and answer several important questions throughout the volume, such as: What if the economic courses taught in the universities across the globe focused their attention on the topics of the commons rather than on private goods? What if social businesses, rather than being considered as a hybrid form of businesses, became the normal approach, and ethical and green finance ruled over the standard financial sector? Is it possible to move away from the primacy of the consumers to the preeminence of ethical consumers who express their preferences for an inclusive, sustainable, and workers-friendly economic system with their daily choices?
Using a unique approach, the book includes the contributions of prominent scholars which are integrated and discussed by young international scholars, providing a fresh analysis with a glance of hope for the future. The book is a must-read for students, scholars, and researchers of economics and related disciplines interested in alternatives to the current economic mainstream in general, and the Economy of Francesco in particular.
Contents
Chapter 1. Economics and the Commons: History, Tragedies, and Some Exercises.- Chapter 2. Expanding the Notion of the Commons: Is Love the Greatest Commons in Which We Should Thrive?.- Chapter 3. Economics and the Ethics of Care.- Chapter 4. Economics and the Ethics of Care: A Response.- Chapter 5. Franciscan Wealth. The Roots of Franciscan Economic Thought.- Chapter 6. Franciscan Wealth. The Roots of Franciscan Economic Thought: a Comment.- Chapter 7. The Power of Purposeful Business.- Chapter 8. 'Growing the Pie' in a Catholic Social Thought Perspective.- Chapter 9. Generating Commons Makes Cities Alive.- Chapter 10. Preserving Our Commons: Call to Action.- Chapter 11. Winning Ideas: Lessons from Free-market Economics for the Economics of Francesco.- Chapter 12. Possible Paths to Follow in Francesco's Economy. Based on the Analysis of Sabina Alkire and Agnus Richie and the Experiences Walked So Far.- Chapter 13. Moral Sentiments, Social choice and the Commons.- Chapter 14. Where Are"we" in the Economy? - Some Reflections on the Place of Moral Sentiments and the Commons in Redefining Economics.- Chapter 15. The Economy of Francesco and the Age of Sustainable Development.- Chapter 16. Gratuitousness.- Chapter 17. Peace, Faith, and Economy.- Chapter 18. Peace, Faith, and Economy. A Comment.
