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Good Value: Reflections on money, morality and an uncertain world
How should we create wealth in societies, and why is it necessary to do so? What improves the lives of the largest number of people? And how do we, living in a globalised world caught in an age of financial and ecological turbulence, respond to the differing needs of individuals and institutions?
Stephen Green, Chairman of HSBC, reflects on how the human desires for exploration and exchange have led us into a globalised, urban world, and considers why it is that capitalism is the best system by which to improve material human wealth. As the world's financial order is in a state of flux, how do we align these drives, and capitalism, with our spiritual and psychological needs? And how should the financial sector respond not only to the current crisis but to the wider needs of the people it serves. Do businesses - and banks in particular - have a duty to society that goes beyond the creation of profit? Does open market capitalism remain our best hope for creating wealth that benefits all of society? Encompassing history, politics, religion and economics, Good Value offers new perspectives on how we can live in a richer, more dynamic world.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2009
13 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 17, 2010
Written as a conscientious apologetic for the financial industry following the disastrous aftermath of the Great Recession, Green's book is timely and acute.
While there are a good many different themes intertwined in Green's thesis (value of business (especially banking); (true) value of money; role of money; eradication of poverty; ethics; climate change...etc), I was struck upon first read that Green should have explored the themes covered in the latter half of the book a little more than to go rehashing history 101 earlier in his book. Despite this needless journey, his concise explanation on why the Financial Tsunami occurred is as clear as it gets--it is certainly worth reading.
The chapter on "Why Should I do Anything for Posterity" is as timely as it is acute for the world today. Even so, Green's uncritical assertion of how business, trade and deregulation can still play positive and ameliorative roles for the world remains unsubstantiated.
At the end, Green has but one major argument: what is the value governing practical action? Where do we want to go from here with all our powers, money and technology? In all, Green demonstrates that unless human civilization is guided by values--good values--it is impossible to answer these questions at all even with power, money and technology. On this thesis Green concurred and converged with social thinkers such as John Gardner and Victor Ferkiss.
A good read for anyone seeking answers to the recent Financial Tsunami and also seeking directions on where to go from here.
While there are a good many different themes intertwined in Green's thesis (value of business (especially banking); (true) value of money; role of money; eradication of poverty; ethics; climate change...etc), I was struck upon first read that Green should have explored the themes covered in the latter half of the book a little more than to go rehashing history 101 earlier in his book. Despite this needless journey, his concise explanation on why the Financial Tsunami occurred is as clear as it gets--it is certainly worth reading.
The chapter on "Why Should I do Anything for Posterity" is as timely as it is acute for the world today. Even so, Green's uncritical assertion of how business, trade and deregulation can still play positive and ameliorative roles for the world remains unsubstantiated.
At the end, Green has but one major argument: what is the value governing practical action? Where do we want to go from here with all our powers, money and technology? In all, Green demonstrates that unless human civilization is guided by values--good values--it is impossible to answer these questions at all even with power, money and technology. On this thesis Green concurred and converged with social thinkers such as John Gardner and Victor Ferkiss.
A good read for anyone seeking answers to the recent Financial Tsunami and also seeking directions on where to go from here.
November 2, 2009
New economy raises new questions
Depending on your perspective, HSBC Chairman Stephen Green’s analysis of the global economy and the moral ambiguities that will inevitably shape society’s evolution is either brilliant or convoluted. It may be both. Readers will applaud Green’s intellect as he draws from fertile philosophical, literary and religious sources to frame his take on civilization’s economic beginnings and development. The one drawback is that his obsession with detail and stylistic prose can sometimes obscure his fundamental points. Green ponders where society is headed in this age of globalization and economic uncertainty, and how people will adapt without compromising their humanity. getAbstract finds that his hopeful prescription positions him more as a philosopher than as a major banking executive, though he willingly shoulders both roles.
Depending on your perspective, HSBC Chairman Stephen Green’s analysis of the global economy and the moral ambiguities that will inevitably shape society’s evolution is either brilliant or convoluted. It may be both. Readers will applaud Green’s intellect as he draws from fertile philosophical, literary and religious sources to frame his take on civilization’s economic beginnings and development. The one drawback is that his obsession with detail and stylistic prose can sometimes obscure his fundamental points. Green ponders where society is headed in this age of globalization and economic uncertainty, and how people will adapt without compromising their humanity. getAbstract finds that his hopeful prescription positions him more as a philosopher than as a major banking executive, though he willingly shoulders both roles.
September 16, 2021
The premise of this book, as it blends financial analysis and religious thinking, is what makes me captivated. Sign me in if there is a book that deep dive through the moral value of money, especially seen through religious lense. The first half is well written and give a lot of insights of how financial system has evolved throughout history, but at the second half, it becomes a mere literary criticism about Faust and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Nothing to take much in term of financial or economics knowledge. And what a boring last chapter, a full sermon about the ambiguity of value in finance with no focus whatsoever. It feels like repetition and compression of previous chapters without any added value, what a waste.
Expect this book as a philosophy (or rather religion) book than economics book.
Expect this book as a philosophy (or rather religion) book than economics book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2021
Started off excellent, great review of humanity's evolution and how far we have come as a civilization. We have the highest living standard of any humans etc. Ultimately the philosophical clashes with the Financial analysis , I feel like it is two separate books fused into one. Stephen is a great writer on the philosophical side however and has clearly absorbed and regurgitated alot of wisdom from some of the great thinkers. Worth a read but dont be afraid to skip through pages as you see fit.
December 22, 2018
Just junk. I was led to believe this book was an economic history of the 2008 world financial crash.
It turned out to be just random thoughts of no value from the author.
I could only get through 15 % of the book before giving up.
It turned out to be just random thoughts of no value from the author.
I could only get through 15 % of the book before giving up.
April 12, 2010
It's refreshing to find someone taking an earnest look at the mix of money and morality. The obvious link to Faust is matched by an unexpected and, I think, strained analogy between globalization and grace. His history of the financial crisis is cogent, and his history of commerce is interesting, but his personal musings probably a little too discursive.
The most noteworthy part for me was Green's take on the morality of the Old Testament:
Green's theology is a little timid for me: In elevating the prophets, he seems to ignore the covenant they constantly told of. But he does give a compelling take on why the Israelites always seem so intractable, so unredeemable.
The most noteworthy part for me was Green's take on the morality of the Old Testament:
The story of the people in the Old Testament is the story of a people whose chosenness lies not in being different from others, but precisely in being representative because they are so exactly like others. Their leaders were often greedy, philandering, corrupt, violent--all the things that people with power and wealth so often are. Those who were led were fickle, and no doubt did many of the same things as their leaders on a smaller scale ... The only thing extraordinary about this commonplace history was the unique response it provoked from a group of figures known as the prophets--who were sometimes solitary outsiders, but sometimes even establishment figures. Through generations, they kept up a critique of all that was going on--often powerfully expressed in poetry that stands comparison with the greatest literature of any human culture--in the name of their God ... It is striking that, while popular usage has debased the idea of sin, evil is a concept that retains its power to bring us up short. We remain both fascinated and nonplussed by it, as we repeatedly find it not just "out there" in some supernatural guise, nor "just there" in some nightmarish historical event that we can ring-fence because we were not involved, but in us and among us--alongside the creativity and beauty which are the hallmarks of our original grace.
Green's theology is a little timid for me: In elevating the prophets, he seems to ignore the covenant they constantly told of. But he does give a compelling take on why the Israelites always seem so intractable, so unredeemable.
February 10, 2011
This was the first book that I read entirely in electronic format on my Kindle or various Kindle reader applications. I like the ease of use and versatility offered by such electronic books.
Good Value was an interesting book that was assigned reading for the Finance class I am taking as part of the UVU MBA program. The author has an extensive financial background and he writes about the unraveling of the economy and some of the key underlying causes of that. He relates business and life to true value and weaves a lot of different ideas and philosophies throughout the book, including various stories and examples, both modern and ancient. The book closes on a philosophical and spiritual positive note, promoting hope and faith as important elements in our view of the world.
While there are certainly some things in the book I did not agree with, for the most part it was beneficial to read as the author does have a very internationally diverse background and is thereby able to help expose readers to many different places, ideas, thoughts and perspectives that they would not otherwise encounter in their everyday life. Such is the value of a book: to help expand our view of the world and to hopefully promote a greater desire within to continue to read, to learn, to think, to grow, to travel and to share what we learn with others.
I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in the financial markets, the general state of the world economy and the dynamics of globalization.
Good Value was an interesting book that was assigned reading for the Finance class I am taking as part of the UVU MBA program. The author has an extensive financial background and he writes about the unraveling of the economy and some of the key underlying causes of that. He relates business and life to true value and weaves a lot of different ideas and philosophies throughout the book, including various stories and examples, both modern and ancient. The book closes on a philosophical and spiritual positive note, promoting hope and faith as important elements in our view of the world.
While there are certainly some things in the book I did not agree with, for the most part it was beneficial to read as the author does have a very internationally diverse background and is thereby able to help expose readers to many different places, ideas, thoughts and perspectives that they would not otherwise encounter in their everyday life. Such is the value of a book: to help expand our view of the world and to hopefully promote a greater desire within to continue to read, to learn, to think, to grow, to travel and to share what we learn with others.
I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in the financial markets, the general state of the world economy and the dynamics of globalization.
June 26, 2017
Good Value presents a very insightful view on Capitalism and encourages us to ask the age-old question: what is progress and toward what end are we progressing?
As readers flip through the pages of this eye-opening narrative, they would inevitably learn of Green's wealth of literary and historical knowledge, inserted generously throughout the book in an attempt to reinforce his views. This is ironically however, where I feel the book falls short. The multitude of references to literature and history can at times feel a bit overdone, shrouding the content in a kind of ambiguous fog rather than illuminating its value. The book also does not follow a clear structure in a way other books do (such as using 1 chapter for 1 main point). Interestingly however, ambiguity is perhaps what Green was exactly aiming for. In a world where certainty is no longer a commodity, Green attempts to take us through a journey of the unknown.
I would reccomend this book to those wrestling with the question of where we are heading as a society and what all of our work will amount to.
As readers flip through the pages of this eye-opening narrative, they would inevitably learn of Green's wealth of literary and historical knowledge, inserted generously throughout the book in an attempt to reinforce his views. This is ironically however, where I feel the book falls short. The multitude of references to literature and history can at times feel a bit overdone, shrouding the content in a kind of ambiguous fog rather than illuminating its value. The book also does not follow a clear structure in a way other books do (such as using 1 chapter for 1 main point). Interestingly however, ambiguity is perhaps what Green was exactly aiming for. In a world where certainty is no longer a commodity, Green attempts to take us through a journey of the unknown.
I would reccomend this book to those wrestling with the question of where we are heading as a society and what all of our work will amount to.
April 5, 2010
New economy raises new questions
Depending on your perspective, HSBC Chairman Stephen Green’s analysis of the global economy and the moral ambiguities that will inevitably shape society’s evolution is either brilliant or convoluted. It may be both. Readers will applaud Green’s intellect as he draws from fertile philosophical, literary and religious sources to frame his take on civilization’s economic beginnings and development. The one drawback is that his obsession with detail and stylistic prose can sometimes obscure his fundamental points. Green ponders where society is headed in this age of globalization and economic uncertainty, and how people will adapt without compromising their humanity. getAbstract finds that his hopeful prescription positions him more as a philosopher than as a major banking executive, though he willingly shoulders both roles.
To learn more about this book, check out the following Web page: http://www.getabstract.com/summary/12...
Depending on your perspective, HSBC Chairman Stephen Green’s analysis of the global economy and the moral ambiguities that will inevitably shape society’s evolution is either brilliant or convoluted. It may be both. Readers will applaud Green’s intellect as he draws from fertile philosophical, literary and religious sources to frame his take on civilization’s economic beginnings and development. The one drawback is that his obsession with detail and stylistic prose can sometimes obscure his fundamental points. Green ponders where society is headed in this age of globalization and economic uncertainty, and how people will adapt without compromising their humanity. getAbstract finds that his hopeful prescription positions him more as a philosopher than as a major banking executive, though he willingly shoulders both roles.
To learn more about this book, check out the following Web page: http://www.getabstract.com/summary/12...
August 25, 2016
Maybe I'm too pigeonholed and that's why in Lord Green's reflections I don't see much more than a synopsis of 2006-8 Economist/FT views on economy, globalisation and crisis mixed with a bit of soul searching (elementary thoughts on integrity, system of core values with a dash of meaningful (or at least attempted) actions). I'd expect so much more from a person who was in a leadership position at HSBC for well over a decade. On the other hand the lack of strong opinions, originality, thought provoking questions, etc might somehow explain why with Stephen Green behind steering wheel HSBC got a bit out of control with drug lords money laundering and tax evasion scandals reported so far. In other words, waste of time.
October 19, 2011
Some remarkable views, considering his position as chairman of HSBC. I'm not quite sure he can get to all of the end points for which he strives given some of his definitions. While I could be wrong, it seems he equates capitalism with commerce, and, then, naturalizes that as instinct. He does, however, advocate for a strong role of government because economics tries to dominate social structures, and he, fully I think, does not believe that markets will self correct and reach stability necessarily on their own. So, it could be that I'm really being a ninny. His moral reflections are quite piercing and quite appropriate in my judgement.
July 24, 2012
There are enough T.S. Eliot allusions than I ever care for in any book. But that boring poet aside, Green brings well known literary works (Goethe, Hesse) into his refletions all the time. There is nothing wrong with that, but i'm not sure he every dives beyond the surface of the typical themes. I didn't like how the book was written, and it feels like a lesser "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. But I commend Green's effort, he is well read, and is putting some personal thoughts to these broad strokes. Not my thing, but it's written with grace.
August 12, 2011
Not a bad book at all but SO disappointing - the CEO in England of HBOS who is also an Anglican priest SHOULD have produced something far more challenging than a defence of western capitalism on the basis that it is 'innate' and therefore 'good'. If you want to read a thorough, if unquestioning, history of western markets then this is fine, if the words 'morality' and 'value' in the title draw you then don't bother, there is more 'Faust' here than Jesus.
July 5, 2013
Pretty deep for a banker. I got good value from much of this book, and took some notes along the way. Thought-provoking regarding compartmentalization (don't we all) globalization and the financial crisis. A bit preachy at the end, but that's okay.
May 5, 2016
I read this for a summer book club and I found the book OK. I really wouldn't tout the this work as a must-read for anyone in particular, but perhaps for those who are interested in ethics, history, and happen to work in financial services. It may give some food for thought.
Read
August 10, 2011may pick it up one day. stephen green perhaps too used to one way communication that most are listeners to him .
Read
April 24, 2013Another recent release with a focus on ethics is very timely. Its application of ethics in the banking and finance industries addresses an issue at the forefront of many people’s minds.
Want to read
April 21, 2010Off this review - argue in favor of globalization: http://www.tnr.com/book/review/the-ba...
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews