a new international settlement

Perhaps the most important thing the financial crisis has taught us is that in the modern world, no country is able to solve all of its problems on its own. As we face the greatest challenge to the world economy in modern times, the looming catastrophe of climate change and the continued emergency of global poverty; co-operation between nations has never been more important. This is essential to creating a new world economy – which is designed to provide for all of our long term interests, rather than short term gains for the few.

From speculation to long term investment
The speculative nature of investment within the global economy rewards short term decision making and reduces the accountability of business to its owners, including the majority of ordinary citizens through their pensions. To help ensure our future economic stability, we should campaign for the global introduction of taxes on capital transfers in the international stock, credit derivative and currency markets through agreement at the G20 group of nations and the UN.

Improving economic information
The events leading up to the financial crisis were characterised by a failure to provide the right economic information, and a lack of independence by those who did. Tackling the agency problems inherent in the supply of economic information is vital to ensuring our future stability.

Protecting the future of our planet
Our continuing reliance on fossil fuels places an unsustainable and dangerous burden on our environment, as well as aggravating international tensions and jeopardising progress towards social justice. We should continue to advance international action on climate change, playing a leading role in pressing for and delivering international agreement.

Tackling Global Poverty
The Co-operative Movement is one of the largest organised segments of civil society with over 800 million members, and plays a crucial role across a wide spectrum of human aspiration and need. The Government should work with the Co-operative Movement and its international partners to set up a co-operative agency for international development to help build modern and effective movements in the developing
world.

Trade Justice
We believe that trade is the best tool in the fight against global poverty. Two areas are key to rebalancing the global trading system: fair trade and trade justice.

Governing the Internet
The United Kingdom has led the way in terms of decisions about how to govern the internet. The co-operative approach undertaken is vital as it continues to expand exponentially in terms of individual business activity and new applications.

For full details of our poliices on global issues, please view our draft manifesto.