As I write, the war in Afghanistan seems to be nearing an end, one that will permit food to reach the Afghan people through the winter, and that raises hopes for a new political solution in that country eventually.

Whether we have achieved similar success in the larger struggle against violence and terror is less clear. Secretary Rumsfeld, in particular, has warned that we are entering a war that will not end in our lifetimes. There is little reason to doubt his judgment. And particularly not, if Americans draw the wrong lessons from the Afghan experience and place too much faith, from this point forward, in the effectiveness of military power.

The task of economists now is to provide alternatives. We need to spell out the steps that must be taken — in the governance of the world economy — to reduce the awful temptations of violence, terror and war. These must involve measures that improve the capacity of the United Nations, that reduce the flows of armaments in volatile regions, and above all provide the financial and regulatory frameworks necessary for sustained growth in impoverished and highly unequal regions. Since none of this can happen unless the United States and its industrial network are themselves stable and prosperous, economists also need to give their attention to the policy changes in this country that are required to end the present downturn and restore stable, balanced growth and full employment.

The mission of ECAAR is therefore more vital than ever before. Rather than Secretary Rumsfeld’s vision of a perpetual war, we seek to lay the conceptual foundations for a just and lasting peace. We ask all members of our profession who share this objective to join us, to provide financial support; above all we ask you to share your ideas and energies, and to contribute your work to this cause.