Faith Led Resistance to Corporate Globalization
This discussion guide is a tool for groups that choose to read and discuss Shaking the Gates of Hell: Faith-Led Resistance to Corporate Globalization (Fortress Press). Study groups can provide support and foster understanding of the complex, challenging, and at times controversial topics in covered in the book. This guide touches on key concepts from each chapter and gives group members the opportunity to formulate and share their own perspectives on the various topics raised. It is designed for a 10-week study, but can be shortened if desired. Reading Assignments Session 1: Introduction., Chapters 1-2. 1-29; (29 pages). Session 2: Chapters 3, 4, 5. Pages 30-55 (25 pages). Session 3: Chapters 6, 7. Pages 56-81 (25 pages). Session 4: Chapters 8, 9. Pages 82-105 (23 pages). Session 5: Chapters 10, 11a. Pages 106-135 (29 pages). Session 6: Chapters 11b, 12. Pages 135-164 (29 pages). Session 7: Chapters 13, 14. Pages 165-189 (24 pages). Session 8: Chapter 15. Pages 190-214 (24 pages). Session 9: Chapters 16, 17a. Pages 215-233 (18 pages). Session 10: Chapter 17b, Conclusion. Pages 233-251 (18 pages). Session 1: Introduction, Chapters 1-2 Pages 1-29 (29 pages) What is the meaning of the term corporate globalization? Discuss the concept of "the Powers" as explained in the Introduction. How do people become dehumanized in relation to institutions? Discuss the following quote: "Corporations should not have the power to make decisions that harm human beings or the earth for the sake of generating profits. But this is precisely what is happening." (p. 4) The author claims that our response to the grave challenges of our time involves "a spiritual struggle" that must have "both an inner and outer dimension." Discuss the author's understanding of this struggle. Share your own understanding. The author proposes "faith-led resistance" as a response to the challenges posed by corporate globalization. At this point, what do you think she means? Discuss the book's title and the quote by John Wesley upon which it was based. (p. 5) The author claims that we are at "a moment of profound choice between two incompatible futures." Do you agree? Why or why not? How do you understand the concept of a "sacramental universe"? What are the spiritual and practical implications of this concept? We live in a world of relationships. Read and discuss the final paragraph on page 17, which begins with the words, "What we do affects the whole web of life..." Discuss the following quote: "Destroying the beauty of God's creation is a spiritual and moral issue. To despoil the earth, pollute the air, and contaminate the waters is desecration and sacrilege. To knowingly and willfully do so is sin." (p. 17) Do you agree that each species has intrinsic value because it is created by God? In light of the accelerating rate of species loss, what are the implications of this conviction? Why is preservation of the diversity of life essential for human well-being, including spiritual well-being? In what ways must laws protecting earth's biodiversity be strengthened and enforced? What other systemic changes are necessary? Discuss the concept of "The Great Turning." What will such a turning require? What part are group members willing to play? Session 2: Chapters 3, 4, 5 Pages 30-55 (25 pages) In what ways does corporate globalization exacerbate the problem of climate change? Discuss how corporations influence government policies on climate change and how governments protect the "rights" of corporations to continue releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Do you agree that the principle of ecological sustainability should become a foundation for our personal lives, as well as for our institutions and systems? What could group members do to help make this a reality? Do you believe that a fundamental shift away from fossil fuels is possible? If so, how? Exposure to toxic chemicals has been linked to increased incidence of various diseases and disorders. Why are children and future generations at greater risk? What is the meaning of the term environmental racism? How does global trade highlight and exacerbate the problems of environmental racism and injustice? (40-41) How does the chemical industry influence laws that regulate the release of toxic chemicals into the environment? Current chemical industry regulations are based on "acceptable risk." Discuss the drawbacks of cost-benefit and risk-benefit analysis. What is the precautionary principle? Is it a sound principle for global society? Read and discuss the final sentences on page 44, beginning with the words, "As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us." Discuss the risks and benefits of common technologies. How are the costs, risks, and benefits unequally distributed? Why are vulnerable members of society at greatest risk? Discuss potential benefits and risks of genetically-modified plants and animals. What are some of the potential benefits of emerging technologies (genetic engineering, nanotechnology, robotics) for the transformation of life? What are some of the risks? What ethical issues do they raise? Discuss the idea that technology drives globalization and that the current form of globalization is inevitable. Are new technologies truly market-driven? How are decisions made about which technologies to pursue? How should such decisions be made? Session 3: Chapters 6-7 Pages 56-81 (25 pages) Discuss the "race to the bottom," its causes and effects. Discuss the increasing inequity, rising poverty, and general decline in living standards and quality of life in the Discuss the human effects of growing global inequity. Who benefits from the current system? Who is harmed? How does "the growing abyss" between rich and poor threaten the well-being of us all? What are the causes and effects of growing global migration? Discuss the following challenges: peak oil, water scarcity, food insecurity. How are these challenges interrelated? How are shortages and higher prices related to corporate control of oil, water, and the food supply? The global economic system depends upon economic growth, yet consumption rates already threaten the strained natural systems of the earth. Can this system continue or have we reached an impasse? Jared Diamond warns that human society faces global collapse. Discuss the questions in the last paragraph of Chapter 6, beginning with: "What could have been in the minds..." The challenges we face tie us together, regardless of class, race, or political or religious perspective. Our futures are intertwined. How is this realization hopeful? Corporate globalization is increasing wealth inequality. How is inequality linked with violence? Explain how the author understands the "Domination System" of today. In critiquing the myth that economic globalization leads to peace, the author claims that "violence pervades every level of today's Domination System." (p. 75) Do you agree? Discuss the concept of "Pax Americana." What is "blowback"? Is Do you agree that "a global empire demands both the means and willingness to use extraordinary military power?" (p. 77). How do Do such policies support efforts toward peace or "reenergize the cycle of violence?" The author claims that nonviolent resistance is vital to faith, and that our only hope for survival is " Session 4. Chapters 8-9 Pages 82-105 (23 pages) The author uses the movie "Remains of the Day" as an example of individual complicity in systemic evil. What are the implications of this concept? Discuss the following quote by William Stringfellow: "Where money is an idol, to be poor is a sin." How is this quote an example of social sin and institutional evil? Discuss the concept of "The Powers" as explained by the author. What are their origins and purpose? How do they go awry? Do you agree that institutions are not simply groups of individuals working together but that they tend to take on a life of their own? Why or why not? How can people be dehumanized by serving institutional goals? What is the spiritual danger when this occurs? The concept of "the fall" is discussed in the book as a cultural and spiritual myth. In this context, what is meant by "the fallenness of the Powers"? (p. 91-92) Discuss the spiritual effects of the Powers, and the responsibility of the individual in relation to the Powers. How are the "demons of apathy, denial, despair, rage, helplessness, and hopelessness" pervasive in our culture...? (p. 94) Discuss the following quote: "How can we live humanly, enmeshed as we are in a global system that is creating misery, destroying life, and threatening the future? In times when social sin and institutional evil are pervasive, the only way to maintain our humanity is to resist." (p. 94) How can the apocalyptic images from the Book of Revelation help interpret current reality? Discuss the following metaphors: What is meant by the term Domination System? How can today's Domination System be described? The author describes today's Domination System as a global system that has run amok, and that functions largely on automatic pilot. Do you agree or disagree? Why? (96-97) Discuss Walter Wink's definition of Satan on pages 98-99. In Chapter Nine, "A Modern Parable," the author uses a contemporary science fiction metaphor, the "Borg", to describe "the Beast of Corporate Globalization." Does this image help illuminate today's global system and the theme of the book? If so, how? Session 5: Chapters 10, 11a Pages 106-135 (29 pages) How does "Market Fundamentalism" function as a secular religion? Discuss its underlying precepts, or "articles of faith." In what ways do they seem rational? In what ways are they erroneous or misleading? The author asks: "Who is in control of this system? And what choices do our `leaders' really have?" (p. 107) Discuss these questions. The author claims that "the system is designed for the results it is getting." Do you agree? Support your views. Thomas Friedman's term "The Golden Straitjacket" refers to the rules of the global economy. List some of these "rules"? How are they imposed and enforced? (p. 120) Discuss Thomas Friedman's concept of "The Electronic Herd." Discuss the vulnerabilities of the system. What are the likely consequences of continuing to fund economic growth by "endlessly building on debt?" What does it mean to be "mortgaging the future?" (p. 119-120) Discuss Anthony Glidden's question from, Runaway World, " How much is the system designed and managed in order to benefit the The author makes the case that the global financial system is "spinning out of control." Do you agree? Why or why not? (p. 122) Discuss the following statement: "In spite of the material wealth it generates for some, the global economic system is spiritually and morally bankrupt. It is idolatrous, unjust, and unsustainable." (p. 129) Will the Review how corporations have grown in power relative to human beings, their governments, and global institutions. Why is this dangerous? How do corporations generate support for policies that benefit them? Discuss this statement: "The global economic system is based on faulty and idolatrous assumptions that have led us to the pinnacle of economic insanity, far removed from any sense of being grounded in the natural world, far from the values of faith. It has brought human beings and all life to the edge of In the midst of this grave situation, where does hope lie? Session 6: Chapters 11b, 12 Pages 135-164 (29 pages) How do Steinbeck's metaphors of "machine" and "monster" demonstrate human idolatry and servitude in relation to the Powers? Discuss how the largest corporations not only compete as players on the global playing field, but help shape it. How has the nature of corporations changed? What is meant by a "virtual corporation"? What is the "global assembly line?" How does it exacerbate the "race to the bottom"? Who is harmed? Who benefits? What makes corporate domination of cultures, governments, and global institutions so dangerous? What has led to this situation? How could this be changed? Review the origins and underlying ideology of the Bretton Woods Institutions. Discuss the origins or the global debt crisis. What individuals, institutions, or policies are responsible? What should be done to alleviate the suffering of people in poor countries with excessive debt? How does the debt crisis threaten us all? What is the basis for the claim that the IMF, World Bank, and WTO are "tools of Western colonial powers?" (p. 150) Discuss this view. Review the origins of the WTO and NAFTA. Corporations lobbied for their passage, while most citizens' groups opposed them. Why? Discuss the issue of national sovereignty. How do treaties differ from trade agreements in their passage and enforcement? Do you agree that the WTO, NAFTA, and other regional free trade agreements subvert the democratic process? Support your views. Do the rules of the WTO and other free trade agreements truly "level the playing field"? Why or why not? Choose several trade disputes to discuss. What issues do each of them raise? What is the "national security exemption?" What are its economic and social effects? The author claims that the WTO, NAFTA, and other free trade agreements enable global corporations to "extend their power and consolidate their dominance over people, their governments, and the earth itself." (p. 163) Do you agree or disagree? Why? Discuss the principles and policies suggested on pages 163-164 as a basis for a more hopeful future. How can we heed the warning: "Don't buy corporate rule"? Session 7: Chapters 13-14 Pages 165-189 (24 pages) The author claims that the What is the inherent "contradiction of capitalism"? How does the Discuss the following quote: "As the nation's wealth has been siphoned off from the poor, working, and middle classes and has accumulated at the top, government's benevolent functions, which serve the common good and provide a social safety net, are being replaced by repressive functions which contain and punish those who are dispossessed and who threaten the established order." (p. 167) Do you agree or disagree? In 1983 there were no private prisons; today there are over 120,000. What are the implications? How do private prison corporations influence criminal-justice legislation? What other financial incentives drive the movement toward "tough on crime" laws? The author claims that with the war on terror, "domestic and foreign policy meet in the arena of national security." (p.171) What is the danger of the separate functions of police and military becoming intertwined? Discuss the claim that the What does the term "Iron Triangle" signify? What is the "revolving door"? Do you agree that the Review the process through which new weapons systems come to be approved. How do weapons manufacturers and other large corporations influence weapons and foreign policy decisions? How do these corporations benefit from such influence? How do individuals personally benefit? Review how the How does the global arms trade make the world more dangerous? What are the implications of How does the author portray the Session 8: Chapter 15 Pages 190-214 (24 pages) Why is it crucial to "explore the social, economic, and political context in which Jesus lived and examine his relationship with the institutional Powers of his day?" (p. 192) Discuss the concept of "Jesus, Resister." What was the basis for Jesus' resistance to the institutional Powers of his day? What form did his resistance take? What rationalization did Caiphus use to persuade and to justify putting Jesus to death? How is this kind of rationalization used to justify political violence today? Discuss the following question: "How can we live humanly, as free and responsible human beings, enmeshed as we are in a global system that is diverting the life-force of human beings and siphoning off the gifts of God's creation for idolatrous and unjust purposes that threaten the future?" (p. 199) Discuss these questions: "How does the message and way of Jesus Christ help us to become free of idolatry and injustice? How do they help us to become free, fully human, faithful to God, more completely the people God created us to be?" (p. 200) What does it mean to "live in Christ and be animated by his Spirit"? (p. 202) Discuss the concept of "the triumph of God over the Powers." The author claims that "the personal transformation offered by the good news of Jesus Christ of a personal and intimate relationship with God intersects with hope for world transformation." (p. 204) How so? How is the gospel of Jesus Christ a remedy for bondage of the mind, heart, and will? What does it mean to recover one's moral agency? What does it mean to "name, unmask, and engage the Powers"? Read and discuss the final paragraph on page 206, beginning with the words "We are called to confront the `flesh eaters' in actions that demonstrate their Achilles heel..." Discuss the varied understandings of the "second coming" as a symbol of hope for the future. Read aloud and discuss the section "And Death Shall Have No Dominion" on pages 206-207. Discuss the claim that "hope for the transformation of the systems of the world depends upon us." Discuss how hope for the future is itself a form of resistance to the despair and apathy of our time. How can "faith-led resistance" contribute to hope? How can we embody hope and make the world a more hopeful place? Session 9: Chapters 16, 17a Pages 215-233 (18 pages) Discuss the two competing paradigms that David Korton claims are operating in our world today. How do "Empire" and "Earth Community" function as distinctly different models for society? Discuss each of the ten "principles for sustainable societies" on page 218. Do agree that these common principles unite people in varied places around the world? Could they provide a foundation for organizing human societies, both locally and globally? Review several stories from the book or from other sources about communities that are organizing for resistance and/or transformation. Do these stories give you hope? Many have proposed alternatives to the current outmoded institutions, some of which have been suggested in this book. What proposals for changing governing institutions might help us move toward the "extensive reconstruction of old institutions or creation of new, open, accountable governing institutions based on democracy and human rights, institutions that will end poverty and inequity, protect the environment, structure and sane economy, and promote national and global security and peace?" (p. 223) Discuss the suggestions in speech by David Korton on page 224. Do these suggestions seem viable? Discuss the following quote: "A large part of what remains to be done is to create the political will to shift society's resources away from subsidizing harmful systems and to begin financing the shift to a more just and sustainable world." (p. 224) How can this be done? What is globalization from below? What are the advantages of "self-organizing distributed power" of the "Earth Community" paradigm? What are the disadvantages? Korton claims that the actions of global civil society reveal an "implicit strategy" in the its work to create a just and sustainable society. Review the four "essential imperatives" of this work. How can people of faith contribute to the awakening of cultural and spiritual consciousness? What ongoing practices can contribute to this process? Share your own experiences. Session 10: Chapter 17b, Conclusion Pages 233-251 (18 pages) How can churches or small groups create communities that are "grounded in the Spirit as an alternative to the dominant culture"? Share ways in which your faith community is already doing this. What simple steps might you take to broaden or deepen this process? Why is it important to reach out beyond the walls of the church and "build up communities from below"? Share ways in which you are already doing so. What else might the Spirit be calling you to do, as individuals or as a faith community? Discuss this quote from page 238: "A major effort will be required to create the political will to shift society's vast resources away from deadly and outdated institutions and toward institutions that nurture the human and earth community." How can churches and other faith communities help create this political will? What are the challenges? Share how individuals within the group have been involved in such efforts. What might efforts look like if they were organized by your group as a whole? Discuss the stories of faith-led resistance on pages 240-241. How do such actions "demonstrate hope in the midst of darkness...and witness to the power of God at work in the world?" What is the role of nonviolent direct action in bringing about social change? Under what circumstances might you risk taking such action or serving as support? Explain. How can the church's teaching and preaching help to challenge the myths and metaphors that form contemporary attitudes and values? How could group members further this process? Discuss the meaning of the term "Word of God." What is its potential? Explore the concept of the broad highway leading toward a future hell on earth and the narrow path leading toward a peaceful, just, and sustainable world. Where are you in this scenario? Where do you want to be and what would it entail? What is the hope expressed in the last two pages of the book? What is the call? Are group members interested in coming together for further study and action related to these issues. If so, plan to meet and discuss where to go from here. Contents
