Multicultural Economic Comparisons and Differences

Abstract

A problem for multicultural economic comparisons for the period since World War II is that the world economy has been organized according to various different statistical systems. In many market economies, national income statistics have been compiled according to the United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA). As a key indicator derived from the SNA, gross national product (GNP) is the total value of the entire final products and services generated during a defined period of time. GNP is the sum of two components: gross domestic product (GDP) and net income from abroad. GDP measures the final output of goods and services produced by the domestic economy. Net income from abroad is income in the form of compensation of employees, interest on loans, profits and other factor payments that residents receive from abroad, less payments made for labour and capital. Most countries have estimated their GDP indicators by the production method. This method sums the final outputs of the various sectors of the economy (for example, agriculture, manufacturing and services), from which the value of the inputs to production has been subtracted.

We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves. Instead, we should all please our brothers for their own good, in order to build them up in the faith. For Christ did not please himself. Instead, as the Scripture says, ‘The insults which are hurled at you have fallen on me.’ Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus, so that all of you together may praise with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 15:1–6)