I regard the crisis as one resulting from values. However, we would be wrong to assume the response to that is to work towards the expression of
different values within existing market rules. Rather, the rules of the
financial system have been set up to ascribe value to intangible assets
through a process based on a system of 'might is right': if your
financial institution is big enough for its opinions to move markets
then your opinion is "right" as it affects the actual value of an asset.
(Information on this I detail in my new annual review, along with other
critiques of the causes of the crisis.
http://lifeworth.com/lifeworth2008/2009/05/the-end-of-financial-triumphalism/)

Therefore, rather than espousing or advocating different values within
the existing rules, we need to change the rules so that different values
can be rewarded rather than punished through the financial system. It
also raises deeper issues about the accountability of property rights,
which again raises the question of the values embodied in our current
assumption about private property. (I explore this in my new book, "The
Corporate Responsibility Movement"
(http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/productdetail.kmod?productid=2767)

The first step to all of this is to reveal the values that are implictly embedded in current rules and norms about property, finance, and valuation.

Comment posted on behalf of Dr. Jem Bendell - GVI Advisory Board Member