海角大神

As the global economy sways on bad news, few expect nations鈥� interconnectedness to end. 鈥淒eglobalization鈥� isn鈥檛 quite the word. But our writers found some signs of a coming evolution.

This next one isn鈥檛 a horse-race story. It鈥檚 a look at how much thought has shifted in a key state 鈥� and how different voters鈥� motivations are 鈥� since Bernie Sanders beat his then-rival there in 2016.

Should school choice focus on opportunities for disadvantaged students, access to private and religious schools 鈥� or both? We look at how a movement is getting caught in a clash of civic values.

Three food pellets evidently won鈥檛 bribe a rat. At least, not enough to influence the creature to harm a fellow rat. One of our science writers explores what motivates compassion in the realm of vermin.

This feels like another week for which to get fortified. So, herewith, another roundup of global good 鈥� with news about wages, whales, wind, and more.

A society鈥檚 response to an epidemic, writes historian Frank Snowden in a new book on the topic, is a lens on the moral priorities of its leaders. Did they create a resilient community during more settled times? Have they built up trust in institutions? Epidemics reveal 鈥渢he moral relationships that we have toward each other,鈥� the Yale scholar told The New Yorker.

A current example of moral priorities in the United States is the number of companies promising to keep paying employees 鈥� even temporary wage-earners 鈥� despite the shock and disruption of the coronavirus outbreak. Congress could decide soon to mandate paid leave during the health crisis. Yet many corporate leaders are a step ahead in announcing no layoffs or furloughs, creating a sort of cordon sanitaire that protects jobs and eases fears.

At Microsoft, 4,500 hourly employees 鈥渨ill continue to receive their regular wages even if their work hours are reduced,鈥� says company President Brad Smith. Similar commitments have been made by Google and other big firms. 鈥淚 encourage all of our peers to consider this as well,鈥� tweeted Chuck Robbins, chief executive of Cisco.

One practical reason to retain workers during the crisis is that, up to now, the task of finding new workers has been difficult. The U.S. economy is in its 11th year of expansion. The jobless rate is a low 3.5%. Many companies are enjoying record profits. They can afford a temporary loss.

Yet another reason may be a trend among companies, made strong since the 2008 financial crisis, to better consider how they treat workers, customers, suppliers, local communities, and the natural environment. Such 鈥渟ocial responsibility鈥� toward stakeholders is often genuine. It can also prevent a high cost to a corporation鈥檚 reputation.

The promises of no layoffs during this crisis have become a signifier of ethical progress. Other signs are showing up. Citigroup is offering leniency to many debtors. Some health insurers are absorbing the cost of copays for customers. For many firms, belt-tightening will come in ways other than hits on the most vulnerable.

Worldwide, business has become the most trusted institution, taking the lead role in global governance, according to the latest Edelman survey. Based on 40 years of surveys for its 鈥渢rust meter,鈥� the communication firm finds the 鈥渢rust capital鈥� for businesses depends on three ethical drivers: integrity, dependability, and purpose.

鈥淏usiness has leapt into the void left by populist and partisan government,鈥� states the 2020 report. 鈥淚t can no longer be business as usual, with an exclusive focus on shareholder returns.鈥� The survey finds 73% of employees want the opportunity to change society. Nearly two-thirds of consumers make buying choices based on core beliefs.

Epidemics are not extinguished only by new medicines, quarantines, and improved health practices. Societies also need to have their moral priorities in place. Healing the economy with fear-reducing actions is as important as healing the sick.