The Economy of Communion: A Project for a Sustainable and Happy Socioeconomic Future

Bruni begins by presenting a picture of today’s global economic changes and the issues that must be addressed. He discusses the widening inequality and income gap, as well as the higher correlation between inequality and quality of life than between income (GDP) and quality of life. Inequality, he argues, is becoming a major obstacle to socioeconomic development. Therefore, companies need to expand their range of action to include social and community activities as opportunities for enhancing economic success and the wellbeing of those in the company and community. Bruni then turns to the Economy of Communion, giving its background and its approaches to healing poverty through relational community changes and concrete productive inclusion. The result is workers who are partners and consequently happier and more effective citizens. He stresses the need to build businesses where the poor “produce” goods so that they do not only “consume” assistance. Bruni concludes with reflections on the nature and purpose of communion formed within business and community life.