Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet

This a thought provoking book. Yes, there is much economic theory but it does reveal a path forward. The foundational assumption is that we care for ALL of humanity AND the overall health of our planet. I suppose man”kind” will do that when forced to! The ideas written here are appealing and gave me steps to do my part for our future. I do recommend this book.

I have been reading more regarding our current economic/environmental dilemma. "Limits to Growth - the 30 year update", and just today finished "Prosperity without Growth." The first, as a systems engineer, I can appreciate - they are aware and sensitive to the fact that they are using imperfect models, yet despite a wide range of call it sensitivity analysis, most, if not all scenarios lead to some form of ecological and economic collapse. On the latter, it at times comes across as a sky is falling synopsis with pointers toward an inevitable socialist - "not the capitalism that we know today" outcome. Or worse yet, some Utopian, limited work week, with any excess labor being funneled into ecological investment projects and leisure time pursuits - requiring government regulation to ensure. Yes its hard to imagine, its hard to swallow. Yes it impinges on what we consider both liberal and economic freedoms that we demand today... but change is coming whether we like it or not. Primary flaw in the latter (PwG) (among a few I recognize) is that he postulates that an alternative economic model is achievable - I contest that what he suggests is merely conceivable, but achieve-ability seems a long shot. I am afraid we are in a race between finding the technical means and social/political will to achieve this change and the growth toward economic/ecological collapse. I say we are losing the race - or at least severe underdogs. Before I continue, I need to offer my two only fundamental facts, as I will claim to hold little knowledge on climate change arguments. 1. We live on a finite planet with finite resources. 2. We have exponentially growing population. As apparently inevitable collapse approaches, we are more likely to encounter an increasingly uphill run against resource depletion, habitat destruction, species decimation, and global political unrest. This book (PwG) fails to comment on what I see as a key driver for economic growth -> national security and power. The US will not willingly put these at risk without ensuring the world remains submissive to its will.

We are already at or near the ecological limits to growth of our magnificent planet. At the same time the economies of affluent nations, as presently conceived, require continuous growth to avoid collapse into recession and high unemployment. Tim Jackson's book Prosperity without Growth, examines this paradox in detail and presents a path toward its resolution.A first step is to examine our definitions of prosperity. A shift away from prosperity pursued as opulence -- constantly acquiring new material satisfactions -- and toward prosperity enjoyed as flourishing -- deep and enduring satisfaction and well-being -- allows us to consume less while we enjoy life more. A graph of happiness as a function of average annual income reaches a plateau as essential material needs are met. A graph of life expectancy as a function of GDP per capita reaches a similar plateau. This insight helps us recognize that paths toward increased happiness do not require more material goods.In the economies of affluent nations, competition stimulates technology improvements that increase labor productivity to reduce costs. As labor becomes more productive, fewer people are required to produce the same goods. This would lead to unemployment unless demand grows at the same rate as labor becomes more productive. If growth stops, unemployment increases, household income drops, demand drops and the system collapses toward recession.This presents the dilemma of growth:+ Growth in its present form is unsustainable -- unbounded resource consumption is exceeding environmental capacity, and+ De-growth under present conditions is unstable -- reduced consumer demand leads to increased unemployment and the spiral of recession.A solution to this dilemma is essential for future prosperity.We can begin to see a solution in the "Green new deal". People need jobs and the world needs to manage a transition to sustainable energy. These two goals can be met simultaneously by directing investments away from opulent consumer goods and toward low-carbon systems that reduce climate change and increase energy security. In addition investments in natural infrastructure including sustainable agriculture and ecosystem protection provide long-term benefits. The engine of growth becomes creation and operation of non-polluting energy sources and selling non-material services. In addition, delivering the benefits of labor productivity to the workers would allow them more leisure and less stress as they enjoy a shorter work week. The book describes quantitative models to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.The many elements of such a transformation are described, including:Establishing limits:+ Establishing resource extraction and emissions caps, including reduction targets,+ Reforming financial systems to support sustainability, and+ Supporting ecological transitions in developing countries.Fixing the economic model:+ Developing a new macro-economic model based on ecological constraints,+ Investing in jobs, assets and infrastructures,+ Increasing financial and fiscal prudence,+ Revising the national accounts such as GDP to include the value of ecological services and the costs of pollution and destructive activities.Changing the social logic:+ Adjusting working time policy to allow shorter or longer work weeks to suit the preferences of the workers and share the work to be done,+ Reducing systemic inequalities,+ Measuring capabilities and well-being,+ Strengthening social capital, and+ Dismantling the culture of consumerism.This is an immensely difficult transformation; however it is essential for a lasting prosperity.

Brilliant insights derived from many cumulative, commissioned studies on health of a finite planet. Disturbing and hopeful; Realistic and practical. Provides remedies reminiscent of of Dr Walter Stahel's to rationalize societies obsessed with consumerism. I did not appreciate end notes rather than (convenient) footnotes. Recommend a 2016 update on the statistics as well as conscientious copy editing.

Crucial reading for anyone interested in climate change, inequality or consumerism. A thoughtful expose of current structural flaws in our economic system, backed up by a practical menu of policy and social reforms that could lead to a new future. Sober, avoids utopian 'super fixes' but calmly insistent on the need for change.

Gostei da proposta do novo paradigma para desenvolvimento e crescimento das pessoas e das nações que deverá ser mandatório no presente e futuro próximo .Não gostei da repetitividade de algumas idéias. Acho que o autor poderia exemplificar suas idéias com mais exemplos práticos.Recomendaria o livro a todos que gostam ou se preocupam com o futuro do nosso planeta, da nossa economia de nosso desenvolvimento.

Tim Jacksons Buch steht in bester angelsächsischer Tradition - hervorragend klar argumentiert, empirisch gut abgesichert. Er verfügt souverän udn abwägend über breite Kenntnis der Erklärungen, die Psychologie, Ökonomie, Soziologie, Naturwissenschaften für das Bedürfnis nach Wachstum, nach Innovation mitbringt. Er ist völlig unvereingenommen - womit er sich wohltuend von den Aktivisten der "Postwachstumsgesellschaft" abhebt, die oft private Vorlieben für bestimmte Lebensweisen und moralische Einstellungen mit theoretischen Einsichten vermischen. Jackson verweigert sich den einfachen, moralisch getränkten Appellen zum Ausstieg aus dem Wachstum wie sie M. Miegel und N. Paech vertreten. Jackson wägt im Einzelfall ab, begründet, wo welches Wachstum notwendig und weiterhin möglich ist und wo es andererseits bald unmöglich sein wird - und gottseidank auch überhaupt nicht notwendig ist für das Glück der Menschen, wie Psychologen belegen können.

Un libro che fa aprire gli occhi sulla crisi economica come crisi ambientale e di modello di sviluppo, per il mondo globale