Core Principles

“Moral and ethical values, whether religiously or secularly defined,
are the foundation of the Commonweal Institute’s core principles.”

While progressive organizations typically focus on a limited range of issues, many of their members hold fairly consistent, shared principles that cross disciplinary and demographic boundaries. Clarifying and championing these principles represents an essential way for moderates and progressives to harness their strength and work in unison for the common good.

As an action-oriented, advocacy think tank, the Commonweal Institute is committed to advancing those core principles that embody the essential values of moderate and progressive individuals and organizations. We believe that these core principles express the values of much of the American public, that they represent the best interests of the public and the nation, and that they will help foster a robust yet responsible business climate.

1.  Commitment to Future Generations

The Commonweal Institute believes we have an obligation to consider the economic, social, and physical impacts of today’s policies on present and future generations, both here and abroad. Because the actions of governments and corporations can have worldwide consequences, our country should exercise foresight and leadership in responsible decision-making. Such responsibility means acting in opposition to policies and programs that:

• threaten to degrade significantly the quality of the environment
• would make wars or armed conflicts more likely
• would make the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction more likely
• risk endangering the health and well-being of present and future generations
• place an undue burden on future generations

2.  Environmental Protection

Protecting the environment, both nationally and globally, serves the long-term interests of human society and fulfills a moral imperative to respect nature in all its forms. At the same time, preserving the environment and maintaining a strong national economy, with good jobs, are not antithetical goals. Over the long run, responsible economic growth and sustainable environmental practices must go hand-in-hand.

3.  A Balance between Business and Society as a Whole

Business is a dominant force in society today, essential to the support of individuals and communities, and business enterprise has widely been encouraged by laws and government policies. However, the policies of government and the actions of industry should not compromise the health, economic security and opportunity, or well-being of citizens. Regulations on business should protect the interests of workers and the broader society, while not undermining a healthy business climate. Given that corporations generally strive to maximize profit and exploit competitive advantages, such regulations should be designed to serve the interests of both the public and the general business community.

4.  Inclusiveness and Fairness

The strength of both our democracy and our economy depends on the active participation of all citizens and on their equality under the law. Our leaders should therefore promote openness in government, and inclusiveness and fairness in our country’s civic and political life. In particular:

• Laws and regulations, and their enforcement, should be even-handed and non-discriminatory, not favoring employers over employees, the wealthy over the poor, or any racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, or gender group over others. Each individual should have access to legal representation; and individuals should have the ability to bring suit, as individuals or members of a class, against public or private entities for redress of grievances.
• As far as the principle of fairness allows, there should be significant efforts to provide opportunities for the economically and educationally disadvantaged to improve the lives of themselves and their families. In addition, since public education promotes both inclusiveness and fairness, public monies should be used exclusively for public education.
  

5. Separation of Church and State

The desire for religious freedom was a major impetus to the settlement of the territories that became the United States. Almost four centuries later, a wide variety of spiritual and faith-based organizations play a vital role in contemporary American life and make significant contributions to society. A strict separation of church and state has allowed such organizations to flourish and has encouraged a diversity of beliefs. We must therefore guard against attempts to blur the line between religious and civic activities or to promote a single dominant religion under the guise of defending historical tradition or promoting public morality.

6.  Personal Choice and Privacy

Freedom of personal choice and the right to privacy are cherished values of our society. The government has an obligation to protect individual privacy in an age of unprecedented technological innovation. In addition, personal decisions about reproductive and sexual behavior are inherently private, and should not be subject to the intrusion of government, business, or other groups, with reasonable provisions for the protection of minors.

7.  Comprehensive National Security

A comprehensive and nuanced approach to national security must take into account the variety and complexity of threats that the United States faces. While military and terrorist threats clearly deserve high priority, American foreign policy needs to recognize that economic, social, political, and environmental instabilities in the international community also warrant our serious attention and engagement. The problems characteristic of such instability - including overpopulation, weapons proliferation, religious fanaticism, disease, and poverty - may not be as visible or as urgent as direct violence, but they inevitably create the conditions that foster violence. A successful national security strategy should therefore be broadly conceived, far-reaching, and proactive.

Top