Tag Archive for: economics

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Doughnut Economics | Kate Raworth

Imagine two concentric circles, one inside the other: a social foundation to ensure the protection of every human being, and an ecological ceiling to prevent the overshooting of the planet’s boundaries. This is the doughnut: the ecologically safe and socially just sweet spot in which humanity can thrive. Widely hailed as a radically ground-breaking work, Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics identifies the seven critical ways in which mainstream economics has betrayed global society.

Debunking the myth of ‘rational economic man’ and unpicking the argument that economic growth must continue at all costs, Raworth offers an exciting and viable roadmap for bringing humanity into the sweet spot represented by the doughnut. A must-read for anyone interested in transforming the global economic system into a force for good within the means of the planet.

Read more of our Climate Classics: timeless works exploring themes of climate change and biodiversity loss.

 

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Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if people Mattered | E.F. Schumacher

When Schumacher’s original eco-bible was published in 1973, it had a profound effect on people who were ready to question mainstream economics and became a global best-seller. “Wisdom demands a new orientation of science towards the organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant and the beautiful,” argues Schumacher, whose collection of essays contrasts the efficiency of large-scale industrial systems with the resilience and flexibility of smaller, decentralised models.

In challenging the paradigm of mindless economic consumption, Schumacher advocates for the concept of “enoughness” and argues that economic systems should service communities, not corporations.

Read more of our Climate Classics: timeless works exploring themes of climate change and biodiversity loss.

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Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air | David JC MacKay

Addressing the sustainable energy crisis in an objective manner, this enlightening book analyses the relevant numbers and organizes a plan for change on both a personal level and an international scale – for Europe, the United States, and the world. In case study format, this informative reference answers questions surrounding nuclear energy, the potential of sustainable fossil fuels, and the possibilities of sharing renewable power with foreign countries. While underlining the difficulty of minimizing consumption, the tone remains positive as it debunks misinformation and clearly explains the calculations of expenditure per person to encourage people to make individual changes that will benefit the world at large. If you’ve thrown your hands up in despair thinking no solution is possible, then read this book – it’s an honest, realistic, and humorous discussion of all our energy options.

“No doubt it’s been superseded now, but at the time I read it, it was revelation that energy system change is actually possible” ~ Rishi Dastidar selected Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air – which is available to read and download for free – for his guest contribution to May 2023’s What We’re Reading Now.

Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air is also cited as inspiration by climate and food system scientist Sarah Bridle in her Q&A on How to Fix Our Food System for Writers Rebel in November 2022.

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The Future Is Degrowth: A Guide to a World Beyond Capitalism | Matthew Schmelzer, Andrea Vetter & Aaron Vansintjan

Offering a counter-history of how economic growth emerged in the context of colonialism, fossil-fuelled industrialisation, and capitalist modernity, The Future Is Degrowth argues that the ideology of growth conceals the rising inequalities and ecological destructions associated with capitalism, and points to desirable alternatives to it. This book provides a vision for post-capitalism beyond growth. It charts a path forward through policies that democratise the economy, “now-topias” that create free spaces for experimentation, and counter-hegemonic movements that make it possible to break with the logic of growth.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

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Post-Growth Living For an Alternative Hedonism | Kate Soper

Climate change is inextricably linked with the consumerist, capitalist society in which we live. How do we stop the impending catastrophe and how can we create a movement capable of confronting it head-on? Post-Growth Living: For an Alternative Hedonism is plea for a new and ecologically sustainable vision of the good life.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

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Liberation from Excess: The Road to a Post-Growth Economy | Niko Paech

In his counter model of a post-growth economy, sustainability researcher Niko Paech calls for restrictions upon industrial value added processes and for patterns of self-sufficiency to be strengthened. He argues that his form of economic activity would not only be more frugal but also more stable and environmentally friendly.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

 

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In Defense of Degrowth: Opinions and Minifestos | Giorgos Kallis (edited by Aaron Vansintjan)

Giorgios Kallis is one of the leading thinkers of the degrowth movement. This book is a compilation of his essays, articles, blog posts and ‘minifestos’ The book also features debates and exchanges between Kallis and degrowth detractors.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

Purchase In Defense of Degrowth: Opinions and Minifestos at Hive online bookshop

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The World After GDP | Lorenzo Fioramonti

GDP has become the benchmark of success and a powerful ordering principle at the heart of the global economy. But the convergence of major economic, social and environmental crises has exposed the flaws of our economic system which values GDP above all else as a measure of prosperity and growth.

In this book, political economist Lorenzo Fioramonti sets out his vision of a world after GDP. From a new role for small business, households and civil society to a radical evolution of democracy and international relations, Fioramonti sets out a combination of top-down reforms and bottom-up pressures whose impact, he argues, would be unprecedented, and would make possible a more equitable, sustainable and happy society.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

 

 

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Exploring Degrowth: A Critical Guide | Vincent Liegey & Anitra Nelson

As politicians and corporations obsess over “growth” objectives, the degrowth movement demands that we slow down our economies, our politics and our cultures to live within the Earth’s limits. This book navigates the practice and strategies of the movement, looking at its strengths and weaknesses. Covering horizontal democracy, local economies and the reduction of work, it shows us how degrowth is a feasible project.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

Purchase Exploring Degrowth: A Critical Guide at Hive online bookshop

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Degrowth | Giorgios Kallis

The term “degrowth” has emerged within ecological and other schools of economics as a critique of the idea (and ideology) of economic growth. Degrowth argues that economic growth is no longer desirable – its costs exceed its benefits – and advocates a transformation of economies so that they produce and consume less, differently and better. In this book the central claims of the degrowth literature are discussed alongside some key criticisms of them.

 

Read more about degrowth at May 2022’s Rebel Library Recommends: A Degrowth Special

Purchase Degrowth at Hive online bookshop