Economic Principles of a Culture

Those involved in the Economy of Communion are inspired by the principles of a culture which is
different from the prevailing theory and practice of economics. This “culture� can be defined as the
“culture of giving� which is the antithesis of a “culture of having�. “Giving� is based
on an anthropological concept which is neither individualistic nor collective, but one of communion. In
this context, giving, is neither a form of philanthropy nor a way of distributing welfare benefits, neither a
way of seeking individual reward or dominance. It involves respect for human dignity and has the capacity
to generate, even in the business arena, the Gospel experience of ?Give and it will be given to you�.
Entrepreneurs who adhere to the Economy of Communion show that there is an alternative to the
prevailing methods of doing business in a market economy. EOC businesses do not pretend to be a new
form of business but through their way of conducting their business, they renew the customary types of
businesses from within. In the EOC, the profits have to be produced through strict adherence to the law
and through respecting the rights of the workers, of the consumers, of competitive industries, of the
community and of the environment. This produces extremely positive interpersonal relationships both
internally between employers and employees and externally between the business and its customers.
Often the return comes in the form of an unexpected income, of the discovery of a new technique or the
development of a successful marketing idea.