How do the issues of Globalization, Human Rights, and Social Justice affect investment in capital markets?
The framework of current capital markets, particularly the stock market and publicly traded companies, is premised on the assumption that economic growth (as currently measured) is the primary goal of business and governments alike. In fact, capital markets carry an unsustainable mandate for growth that compromises the environment, labor, and community. As the global activities of the human population have already overshot the world’s ecological carrying capacity (we currently operate by depleting natural capital stocks), and have exacerbated social inequities, the stock market itself is inherently unsustainable—environmentally, socially and economically. We would go so far as to say that our current system of economic growth, which is based on globalization (providing access to new markets and lower costs, resulting in growth and profits), benefits, directly or indirectly, from human rights violations and social injustices. Recognizing these challenges, we are working to develop new f
