Deep Economy
For all of human history, having more—that is, growing the economy—has always improved the human condition—until now. We have turned a corner, and now pursuing economic growth as we have in the past will begin to degrade the quality of our lives, not improve it. We need a new understanding of the good life and a new way to achieve it through a deep economics that nurtures communities and aims toward a sustainable future for everyone.
This is a profound message exploring the fundamental questions posed by an economic system that’s committed to the ideal of growth. Bill McKibben offers compelling arguments for moving away from growth in our economics, he reports on local successes at developing solutions to the worst of our ecological problems, and he delivers an optimistic vision for what is achievable—what a ‘deep economy’ could look like and why it’s worth our commitment.
McKibben stresses the need for strong local businesses as the backbone of local, interdependent communities. His book combines personal engagement with the issues and careful thought about the past, present and future; unflinching realism with dedicated practicality; and an optimism grounded in what people are already doing and what is still possible to achieve to build a prosperous and fulfilling future.
McKibben is a scholar in residence in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College. He has founded the organization 350.org to promote the first International Day of Climate Action on October 24, 2009.
For more information on Deep Economy, click here
For links to articles by and interviews with Bill McKibben, click here. We recommend his Mother Jones article from March/April 2007.
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Since happiness has increased with income in the past, we assumed it would do so in the future. However, it is a fallacy. McKibben’s aim in Deep Economy is relatively modest. It is to change minds, to present a new mental model of the possible. He suggests more progress toward local economies. His analysis of localization for food, radio, and energy, can be applied to almost any commodity. If we start thinking a little differently we can do the same for our democracy.
Bill McKibben, "Pursuing Prosperity and Local Sustainability"
Monday, Nov. 9,
CE – Campus Center Room: 450
