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Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet |  | Author: Tim Jackson
Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd.
Category: Book
List Price: $22.50
Buy New: $15.29
as of 9/5/2010 21:50 EDT details
You Save: $7.21 (32%)
New (15) Used (7) from $15.29
Seller: thermite-media
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 52127
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 286
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 1844078949
Dewey Decimal Number: 338.927
EAN: 9781844078943
ASIN: 1844078949
Publication Date: December 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Prosperity without Growth challenges the embedded, unquestioned assumptions of the global policy of growth and shows that it is necessary—and possible—to have increased and widespread prosperity without economic growth.
The modern economy is reliant on economic growth for stability. When growth falters, politicians panic, businesses fail, people lose jobs, and recession looms. Tim Jackson argues, however, that continual growth is just not possible, not sustainable—to believe so is ignoring our knowledge of the finite resource base and fragile ecology in which we live.
The book starts with a compelling analysis of the consequences—for the planet and for people’s wellbeing—of the relentless pursuit of economic growth and material goods. It illustrates why a return to business as usual after the current financial crisis is not an option. Prosperity for a few founded on ecological destruction and persistent social injustice is no foundation for a civilized society.
The current economic crisis presents a unique opportunity to invest in change and a future that delivers lasting prosperity for the predicted 9 billion people who will inhabit the earth in 2050. The author—a leading expert and advisor to the UK government—concludes by outlining pathways towards a sustainable economy. It involves radically changing our “shop until you drop” mentality as well as engaging other disruptive economic practices. Jackson doesn’t claim this will be easy, but points out that while action is urgent, it is possible.
The book opens up dialogue on the most urgent task of our times—the challenge of a new prosperity encompassing our ability to flourish as human beings—within the ecological limits of a finite planet.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
 Uplifting & Empowering Ideas - Helpful & Positive March 16, 2010
C. Vita (Seattle USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Tim Jackson provides a coherent context of ideas and discussion on how to envision and achieve a better world that is economically and ecologically sustainable and more humane than today's crazy world. While the ideas in this book will not be easy to implement, there really is reason to be hopeful, with at least a start on a workable path forward. Jackson provides a needed and useful framework, with discussions on ecological macro-economics, flourishing within limits, governing for prosperity, and the transition to a sustainable economy. The book doesn't answer all the questions, by any means. But it is well worth the effort to consider its ideas, along with its many references and web sites for more information. I found it uplifting, enlightening and empowering.
Business and environmental collections must have this March 15, 2010
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet raises basic questions about the economics necessary to handle climate change issues, arguing that continued economic growth does not offer a solution but in fact represents a problem. This book calls for a new economic system and has substantially updates and revises a report for the Sustainable Development Commission. Business and environmental collections must have this.
Properity without Growth August 19, 2010
Ol'Shep
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is said that the 2 most uncommon things in the world are common Knowlodge and common sense. Thank you Tim Jackson. You have both in abbudance. This book mades clear that there is another way for us to survive on a finite Planet.
This is the best information I have ever read on the subject of sustainablity.
It should be on the must read list of every High school in the free world.
useful restatement of many good arguments April 19, 2010
Hazel Henderson (St. Augustine, FL)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
A useful re-statement of all the good arguments made over the past 40 years for transforming public policy beyond erroneous economic models. Summarizes the debate and the conclusions on the need to move to low-entropy models based on better understanding of real human needs and goals of equitable, ecologically sustainable prosperity. Some strange omissions, including E. F. Schumacher's Small Is Beautiful (1973) in its heavily focused British literature and the ascribing of the European Commission and the European Parliaments Beyond GDP conferences in 2007 ([...]) to the OECD. A good introduction for those unfamiliar with this 40-year old debate.
Hazel Henderson, author of Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy and co-creator and author of the Calvert-Henderson Quality of Life Indicators
Can't have our cake and eat it too... August 13, 2010
David Radcliff (Elgin, IL)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We can't have our cake and eat it too, according to Tim Jackson. While many (or even most) people are convinced that "technology" and ever-increasing efficiencies will allow humankind, and especially us Rich World folks, to live green and still live large, this books demonstrates in well-documented detail the fallacy of this way of thinking. For instance, while we are getting more production for any carbon we emit into the atmosphere (25 percent more efficient globally in the past 40 years), our actual carbon output is up by 80 percent, as more people are finding more ways to burn fossil fuels--in effect overwhelming any impact from being more efficient.
Jackson is thorough in documenting our overuse of important materials such as copper, bauxite and iron ore, which he points out, if the rest of the world used like we do, world supplies would be exhausted within 20 years. He is also quick to note that not only are we exhausting the planet's physical storehouse and storage capacity for things like carbon, we are at the same time driving a large wedge between the haves and have-nots of the world. And more wealth won't solve these inequities: per capita income in the US is some $42,000 per year, yet the US has the largest income stratification of any rich nation.
He blames much of our problem on "novelty"--the pursuit of the new thing. This creates a throwaway society as product after product is "up-graded" for the next model; it also creates persistent anxiety among and between citizens as they strive for acceptance and supremacy via things. He feels that the goal of society should be to create a world that is environmentally sustainable and that focuses on helping people flourish--neither of which can be accomplished in a highly competitive capitalistic society whose mantra is "more." He calls for both local and national initiatives to redefine life, rewarding behaviors that promote the goals mentioned above.
Pithy quote: "Prosperity for the few founded on ecological destruction and persistent social injustice is no foundation for a civilized society."
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
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