In this volume, we have refrained from charging, as have so many social critics, that capitalism itself is corrupt and that the marketplace is inherently immoral. We have refrained from making this charge because (a) allegations of this sort are counterproductive, and (b) they are flat out mistaken. Benedict XVI was right on target in Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) when he suggested that the market itself is not the cause of the problems that we are facing but rather these problems are the result of the use that is made of the market when “those at the helm are motivated by purely selfish ends.” He observes, “Instruments that are good in themselves can thereby be transformed into harmful ones.... Therefore it is not the instrument that must be called to account, but individuals, their moral conscience, and their personal and social responsibility.”

But in a competitive global economy in which many are motivated by blind pursuit of profit, is greater social responsibility in the business world even possible? Is it realistic to think that appeals to conscience and calls for higher ethical standards can in any significant way diminish the human costs that have accompanied the rapid shift to a highly competitive global economy? We are optimistic enough to believe that such is possible.