Editorial

The first three contributions in this issue have a very encouraging unifying theme.

They provide yet more evidence that politicians and transnational executives have already discovered that “our dream of making the world a better place” is achievable through the Simultaneous Policy. Or that they “favour the multilateralist approach” it provides. And the extracts selected from mainstream newspaper articles in our new feature, the News-watch column, show that a simultaneous and transnational regulatory approach is already supported in more places than one might expect – though sadly revealing that the politicians and executives featured don't yet know that SP exists and could deliver just what they're asking for!

The article about The Need for SP in Brazilian Politics is significant because it announces that a political party has decided to support SP as official policy – and this in Latin America where recent changes in political orientation, with accompanying shifts in the balance of power, have aroused global attention. It is significant, also, that the Policy Forum about Corporate Accountability in the British House of Commons in March was hosted by a Conservative MP. Organised by Simpol-UK at the seat of government, the event reflects growing cross-party interest in SP’s global policy alternatives.

Writing about Simultaneous Values, the author of The Possibility of Progress considers “Simpol is ideally placed to shape the debate about the future prospects for humankind” because its values are shared “by people the world over.” And SP Adopters in the USA, in the article about World Trade Alternatives, discuss among other things the economic distortions resulting from current US policies, and they endorse “Multifunctional Assessments of the potential impact of trade liberalization” as models for negotiators to use in arguing the case for fair trade.

On the lighter side, after Campaigning news, we hope readers will be pleased to see a full-page cartoon is included for the first time. Under the heading Simpol Satire, it is intended to retain this feature in future issues, with or without illustration, based on story-boards or dialogues received. For the present the best prize we can offer to contributors is the honour of being “Accepted For Publication” after careful consideration by our peer-review group!

Contents

Analysis

The Need for SP in Brazilian Politics (George Vasconcelos Bezerra Alves)

Policy Forum report

Corporate Accountability and the Simultaneous Policy (Franklin Frederick; Mike Brady; Craig Bennet; John Bunzl; John Penrose)

News-watch

SP’s Strategy Gains Support in Unlikely Places! (John Bunzl)

Analysis

Simultaneous Values (Mark Braund)

Thinking aloud about fresh alternatives

Simpol-USA Adopters Discuss World Trade Alternatives (Cynthia Josayma)

Campaigning

News from Brazil; UK; ISPO (Mike Brady)

News Briefs and Policy suggestions

Simpol-UK’s policy committee presents suggestions received and news on forthcoming elections

Simpol Satire

Cartoon illustrated by Peter G. Davies