My father-in-law recently forwarded me a link to an article posted on Christianity Today entitled Politically Driven Injustice, written by Andrew Paquin, the founder of a the 10/10 Project and a teacher of global studies at Colorado Christian University. The commentary outlines some of the concerns that Mr. Paquin has with Rick Warren's P.E.A.C.E. plan.
In all honesty, I have little personal knowledge of Warren's foray into the world of the global poor. As such, I am ill equipped to provide much in the means of commentary or opinion.
However, Mr. Paquin highlights a few key concerns that I think are worth highlighting. While I believe that the questions raised extend beyond Mr. Warren, they are valid. Mr. Paquin asks "I wonder if Warren has been able to sit with the leaders of the European Union and the United States to address the injustices of these countries' current agricultural trade policies." I read a booked entitled "Globalization and Its Discontents" by Dr. Joseph Stiglitz that opened my eyes to some of the shortcomings of US foreign policy and our anti-competitive behavior to insulate America from global hyper competition in certain market segments. One example is the significant subsidies paid to US farmers to help compete internationally. While not terribly egregious in isolation (a free market country seeking to stay competitive in a global economy that is outside of its control), the US' strong-arming of foreign countries to reduce tariffs and disallow similar behaviors seems highly anti-competitive, anti-free market, and certainly not in line to what we verbally claim to be American ideals.
What is the right balance of patriotism vs. global concern? Do we confuse patriotism with consumerism - the protection of our right to consume vs. our stated core ideals? Is it possible to change foreign policy without significant spending on lobbyists? The answers are complex and often emotionally slanted. Nonetheless, I hope that we at least take some time to understand what the global community decries and the impact of the decisions that we make as people and as a country.
Andrew Paquin and Rick Warren - God bless your efforts.
In all honesty, I have little personal knowledge of Warren's foray into the world of the global poor. As such, I am ill equipped to provide much in the means of commentary or opinion.
However, Mr. Paquin highlights a few key concerns that I think are worth highlighting. While I believe that the questions raised extend beyond Mr. Warren, they are valid. Mr. Paquin asks "I wonder if Warren has been able to sit with the leaders of the European Union and the United States to address the injustices of these countries' current agricultural trade policies." I read a booked entitled "Globalization and Its Discontents" by Dr. Joseph Stiglitz that opened my eyes to some of the shortcomings of US foreign policy and our anti-competitive behavior to insulate America from global hyper competition in certain market segments. One example is the significant subsidies paid to US farmers to help compete internationally. While not terribly egregious in isolation (a free market country seeking to stay competitive in a global economy that is outside of its control), the US' strong-arming of foreign countries to reduce tariffs and disallow similar behaviors seems highly anti-competitive, anti-free market, and certainly not in line to what we verbally claim to be American ideals.
What is the right balance of patriotism vs. global concern? Do we confuse patriotism with consumerism - the protection of our right to consume vs. our stated core ideals? Is it possible to change foreign policy without significant spending on lobbyists? The answers are complex and often emotionally slanted. Nonetheless, I hope that we at least take some time to understand what the global community decries and the impact of the decisions that we make as people and as a country.
Andrew Paquin and Rick Warren - God bless your efforts.
posted by Josh at 10:21 PM
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