During the early 1990s, Mexico was showcased as a great success for the free market/free trade policies often referred to as economic globalization. Then the bottom fell out. In late 1994, global investors pulled their money out of Mexico, resulting in the worst economic downturn in decades. Millions of Mexicans lost their jobs. Since then the median wage of workers has declined and several million Mexicans have tumbled out of the middle class into poverty. While Mexico's growth rate rebounded in the late 1990s, ordinary Mexicans continue to miss out on the benefits.

During most of the 1990s, Argentina, like Mexico, was praised for implementing free market/free trade economic policies. Yet by the end of the decade, Argentina's foreign debt had ballooned, its economy was mired in recession, unemployment skyrocketed and workers' salaries fell. By early 2002, unable to pay its debts and forced to lower the value of it currency, Argentina faced economic catastrophe.

Mexico and Argentina have been two of the most publicized examples of the fallout from globalization, which has disrupted many other developing countries throughout the world.

Thirty thousand children throughout the world die every day from preventable poverty-related illnesses. Global poverty exists in part because of decisions made by the governments of affluent countries. Many people living in developing countries believe that wealthy countries like the United States pursue global rules and policies that are biased against them.

An unjust and illegitimate foreign debt burden, unfair trade agreements, U.S. protectionism and World Bank and International Monetary Fund "structural adjustment programs" have bankrupted millions of small farmers and business owners in developing countries. (See the Economic Justice Packet for more information.)

But global economic policies are not set in stone. They are made by governments and they can be changed. In late 2006 or early 2007, Congress may vote on free trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, which include provisions likely to harm farmers, workers and poor communities in those countries.

On a positive note, the G8 (which includes the United States) voted in 2005 to support a proposal to cancel 100 percent of the debts owed by 18 impoverished countries to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Many more heavily indebted poor countries could be eligible for debt relief in the next few years. Telling our government officials that we care about these concerns can make a difference.

Scripture addresses systemic, not just individual, issues of economic justice. The Law of Moses called for an equitable redistribution of land every 50 years (Leviticus 25) and included many other provisions for just economic relations (e.g. Leviticus 19:35-36, Deuteronomy 24:14-15). The prophet Isaiah censures monopolistic practices that deprive people of their homes and livelihood (5:8-10). Amos condemns the exploitation of the poor through unjust institutions (2:6-7, 4:1, 5:12).

The apostle James denounces the wealthy who defraud their employees (5:4). And Jesus himself promises a great re-ordering of society in which the positions of the rich and poor will be reversed (Luke 1:52-53, 6:20-26, 16:19-31). The church calls the nations to correct these injustices and replace them with policies and practices that approximate more closely the reign of God. When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we are praying, in part, for right economic relationships among all people and societies.

Biblical Reflection: Economic Globalization

Economic Justice Packet Reflection (PDF)

Economic Justice Packet Worship Resources (PDF)