Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World

Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World

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  • Create Date:2021-04-17 14:50:58
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Jason Hickel
  • ISBN:1786091216
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Summary

The world has finally awoken to the reality of climate breakdown and ecological collapse。 Now we must face up to its primary cause: capitalism。 Our economic system is based on perpetual expansion, which is devastating the living world。 There is only one solution that will lead to meaningful and immediate change: degrowth。

If we want to have a shot at surviving the Anthropocene, we need to restore the balance。 We need to change how we see the world and our place within it, shifting from a philosophy of domination and extraction to one that’s rooted in reciprocity with our planet’s ecology。 We need to evolve beyond the dusty dogmas of capitalism to a new system that’s fit for the twenty-first century。

But what about jobs? What about health? What about progress? This book tackles these questions and offers an inspiring vision for what a post-capitalist economy could look like。 An economy that’s more just, more caring, and more fun。 An economy that enables human flourishing while reversing ecological breakdown。 By taking less, we can become more。

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Reviews

Janaturligt

We live in a system of artificial scarcity where public goods and commons have been increasingly hijacked by an enclosure-oriented subset of trade making us hooked on exponential growth resulting in excessive flourishing for the few and exploitive physical and psychosocial degradation for the rest。 Hickel offers a refreshing, multifaceted account of capitalism’s history — one we have dismissed/neglected in our schools。 He elegantly plows through multiple “sustainable” ideological policy plans an We live in a system of artificial scarcity where public goods and commons have been increasingly hijacked by an enclosure-oriented subset of trade making us hooked on exponential growth resulting in excessive flourishing for the few and exploitive physical and psychosocial degradation for the rest。 Hickel offers a refreshing, multifaceted account of capitalism’s history — one we have dismissed/neglected in our schools。 He elegantly plows through multiple “sustainable” ideological policy plans and deconstructs arguments in a respectful, scientific manner。 This is hands-down a book that will matter to the historical, human accounts of the crossroads concerning our planet’s future。 We’re at the brink of extinction and the answer has, against the will of all, become perhaps more uncomfortable and radical than we might otherwise succumb to, but a choice that is non-negotiable if we want to have a habitable earth in the decades and centuries to come。Instead of sugar coated facts, green-washing and latent neocolonialism the reader is being presented with a balance between the real, horrendous future that lies ahead (and is partially here), coupled with promising solutions and welfare if we reevaluate nature as a “resource”/Other and instead recognize the interconnectedness and vitality it provides。 We need to scale down, take a step back and begin nurturing the things we have。 Move from plutocratic monopolies to real democracy。 The growth imperative has no moral。 It extracts its surplus from whichever source be it nature be it human labor。 The peak of human happiness lies in the radical abundance that scaling down provides。 Plus, the guy who invented GDP strictly warned against not using it as a sole measurement, yet the Bretton Woods institutions chose to do so。 We have caught ourselves in a growth-trap and unless we pull the breaks now, it will make us regretful and miserable。 Erode us from within like cancer truth be told。 Climate justice is the only viable way forward。 Nature will not tolerate inequities and non-mutual extractions any longer。 。。。more

Cian Murphy

A very compelling indictment of the way we live today and how we need to change。

Scann

It has some interesting arguments。 In some parts it could have been more nuanced and precise, both in terms of historical accounts but also in terms of geography。 The whole "Global South" is treated in a very general, indistinct way。 Also, there were some statements that for me read with a huge [citation needed] on top of them。 I found some bits that read a bit like intellectual dishonesty -- for example, he does mention that innovation and such for some of our modern gadgets came from State inv It has some interesting arguments。 In some parts it could have been more nuanced and precise, both in terms of historical accounts but also in terms of geography。 The whole "Global South" is treated in a very general, indistinct way。 Also, there were some statements that for me read with a huge [citation needed] on top of them。 I found some bits that read a bit like intellectual dishonesty -- for example, he does mention that innovation and such for some of our modern gadgets came from State investment, but he doesn't attribute those findings to Mariana Mazzucato, who has been definitely the one to bring that to researchers' attention and into the public discourse。 I would have expected a bit more of gender balance in attributing some of his arguments, if you're going to mention some researchers here and there make sure that the arguments about how GDP does not account for women's work is credited back to the women that have made those statements before you。 But overall the book portrays some powerful ideas, even when he ends up in a bit of a "tree hugging" note。 。。。more

Jess

Great entry book into Degrowth。 Hickel references some great writers, scientists and philosophers including Robin Wall Kimmerer (recommend), who highlight that humans have mistreated beings such as animals and plants for far too long。 To avoid ecological collapse, humans must reconnect with nature。

Rob

This is a must read for those that think it is OK to carry on as we are。I guess it gives hope that there is an alternative but ultimately it depressed me in the fact that the changes require global cooperation against those currently in control (i。e。 the top 1%)。 In the short time we have to turn this ship(!) around it would take some sort of united global citizens' revolution。 Maybe it could be called 'Extinction Rebellion'!! This is a must read for those that think it is OK to carry on as we are。I guess it gives hope that there is an alternative but ultimately it depressed me in the fact that the changes require global cooperation against those currently in control (i。e。 the top 1%)。 In the short time we have to turn this ship(!) around it would take some sort of united global citizens' revolution。 Maybe it could be called 'Extinction Rebellion'!! 。。。more

Lina Jerina Ljubojević

Genious, simple and eye opening。 An essential reading on climate change and degrowth。Possibly one of the best books I have ever read!

Joe Banfield

I really recommend this book。 Draws together environmental philosophy, history of capitalism, de growth policy, animist philosophy, into a really forceful argument for non-expansionist, relational economy of balance, applicable personally, at business level, and globally。 If occasionally overly idealistic, with suggestions like every neighbourhood using a common lawnmower(!), it is a thoroughly inspiring read that expertly weaves many elements of ecological thinking into a beauty tapestry with a I really recommend this book。 Draws together environmental philosophy, history of capitalism, de growth policy, animist philosophy, into a really forceful argument for non-expansionist, relational economy of balance, applicable personally, at business level, and globally。 If occasionally overly idealistic, with suggestions like every neighbourhood using a common lawnmower(!), it is a thoroughly inspiring read that expertly weaves many elements of ecological thinking into a beauty tapestry with a clear call to action。 。。。more

Stephen

Fascinating book which will change the way that you think about everything and which challenges the whole concept of the way that the world is run just now while also explaining how we got here 。Not saying any more as you need to read it although this video gives a good overview of the general idea。 Main problem now is who to lend this to first out of the many people that I know that need to read it!https://www。youtube。com/watch?v=bqz3R。。。P。S。 Just short of 5 stars as found it just a little bit Fascinating book which will change the way that you think about everything and which challenges the whole concept of the way that the world is run just now while also explaining how we got here 。Not saying any more as you need to read it although this video gives a good overview of the general idea。 Main problem now is who to lend this to first out of the many people that I know that need to read it!https://www。youtube。com/watch?v=bqz3R。。。P。S。 Just short of 5 stars as found it just a little bit too radical at times (I am an accountant though)。 。。。more

Bintarti Mayangsari

Must read book for anyone who wants to save the world

Meghana

Probably the most thought-provoking book I've ever read。 It challenged my worldview multiple times per chapter, sometimes multiple times per page。 From climate change to capitalism, colonialism, and bizarrely, even feminism, it ties together seemingly disparate ideas and institutions, while systematically dismantling our society's most fiercely guarded assumptions。This should be mandatory reading for all policy makers everywhere。 Probably the most thought-provoking book I've ever read。 It challenged my worldview multiple times per chapter, sometimes multiple times per page。 From climate change to capitalism, colonialism, and bizarrely, even feminism, it ties together seemingly disparate ideas and institutions, while systematically dismantling our society's most fiercely guarded assumptions。This should be mandatory reading for all policy makers everywhere。 。。。more

Tim

Inspiring and thought-provoking, essentially an argument for the imperative of transitioning to a post-capitalist economy -- recognizing that we don't need more, we need it to be distributed (both locally, and globally) in a way that actually prioritizes human and ecological welfare。The first half of the book provided a good run-down on the history and basic function of capitalism, to help understand both its power and its flaws。 The second half turned to how we could move from where we are to s Inspiring and thought-provoking, essentially an argument for the imperative of transitioning to a post-capitalist economy -- recognizing that we don't need more, we need it to be distributed (both locally, and globally) in a way that actually prioritizes human and ecological welfare。The first half of the book provided a good run-down on the history and basic function of capitalism, to help understand both its power and its flaws。 The second half turned to how we could move from where we are to something new, and while I found some of the ideas revelatory, it often felt like we were barely scratching the surface。 So I'd say, this is a great, easy-to-read, very accessible introduction to the subject, especially if you haven't studied the subject in great depth。 If you have, you probably won't find the more detailed discussion (or political strategy for achieving it, which is one part I'd be very interested in) you're probably looking for。 。。。more

John

A direct attack on the core beliefs that underpin capitalism and its negative effects of environmental, social and economic degradation。'Degrowth' is a powerful idea rooted in taking less from everything (people, nature 。。。) in order to re-establish an overall balance。 “Growth is … equivalent to the rate at which our economy is metabolising the living world” - and we have long past safe limits。The ultimate target is not just growth but 'growthism' - growth for its own (capitalism's) sake。There a A direct attack on the core beliefs that underpin capitalism and its negative effects of environmental, social and economic degradation。'Degrowth' is a powerful idea rooted in taking less from everything (people, nature 。。。) in order to re-establish an overall balance。 “Growth is … equivalent to the rate at which our economy is metabolising the living world” - and we have long past safe limits。The ultimate target is not just growth but 'growthism' - growth for its own (capitalism's) sake。There are some great lessons from history and the book takes some surprising turns in places。It has upended my thinking more than any of my recent 'popular economics' readings。 The core premise of the book - that capitalism and the core beliefs that underpin it are unsustainable - suggests a *huge* follow-up position - that capitalism it self is coming to an end。 If so, what will replace it? I would love to give it 5* but it gets four in the end。An appreciation of how population growth contributes to overall economic growth is missing from the picture - and this is critical。It is also a little light on references and has no index。Still marked as *essential* however。 。。。more

Oktan

Best book for 2020。

Zuza Fialová

https://www。pdcs。sk/blog/post/cap-zah。。。 https://www。pdcs。sk/blog/post/cap-zah。。。 。。。more

Helen

You should read this。

Tomasz

This is a really distressing book。 I read Bill Gates "Wow to Avoid a Climate Disaster" a couple of weeks before, and I know that it is bad, and the are many challenges before us, but after reading Bill's book I was full of hope, a hope in the technology, a hope in innovation。 That hope or at least a big chunk of it melted away after reading this book。 The author plainly says the thinking that just innovation will save the World is a fantasy。 Simply there are not enough raw materials for the tran This is a really distressing book。 I read Bill Gates "Wow to Avoid a Climate Disaster" a couple of weeks before, and I know that it is bad, and the are many challenges before us, but after reading Bill's book I was full of hope, a hope in the technology, a hope in innovation。 That hope or at least a big chunk of it melted away after reading this book。 The author plainly says the thinking that just innovation will save the World is a fantasy。 Simply there are not enough raw materials for the transition we need to make if we keep operating in our capitalist model。 How much more we can degrade our environment? And this time we will do that in the name of green technology? I like the example of the Penasquito mine, one of the biggest silver mines in the world。 That we can think about the transition to renewables we need 130 more silver mines of that scale。 And this is just silver, not an expert, not even know if there are that many resources。 No, we need to stop thinking about GDP as something good。 As the author proves, it is good, just for a few, for super-rich top 1%。 There we come straight to the inequality problem, do we need that much growth if there World would be more egalitarian? This is a book about that, "Degrowth", don't be obsessed with growth, GDP, and other socioeconomic indicators if they are not increasing happiness。It's time for degrowth, for not pursuing higher incomes, for working less, and finding time for things that matter most, for example, your community or family。For not pursuing another increase of revenue, but maintaining good company culture and sharing the income fairly with all employees。For not buying a new TV, car, or fridge every couple of years just because it became old-fashioned or broke, fixing it instead。We need regulations, policies more than ever in those fields。 We need long-term thinking politicians (this sounds like an oxymoron, I know, and that is sad)。 And most importantly, we need to stop measuring countries' progress in GDP growth and start using indices based on happiness and wellbeing。 I highly recommend this book to everyone! 。。。more

Adam

Could be titled much better。 This was better than I thought it would be。 The arguments are measured, the author eschews 'gotcha' statements or emotional pleas as persuasive strategies。 A simple framework of our conceptualisation of capitalism as a 'scarcity mentality' (of sorts)。 Presents common-sense approaches to decoupling GDP from a sense of national 'success'。4 stars。 A number of salient suggestions for re-considering how our collective economies might function。 Removing advertising remains Could be titled much better。 This was better than I thought it would be。 The arguments are measured, the author eschews 'gotcha' statements or emotional pleas as persuasive strategies。 A simple framework of our conceptualisation of capitalism as a 'scarcity mentality' (of sorts)。 Presents common-sense approaches to decoupling GDP from a sense of national 'success'。4 stars。 A number of salient suggestions for re-considering how our collective economies might function。 Removing advertising remains one of my favourites。 。。。more

Rachel

The first section is heavy going, but if you can get past that it’s informative and provides a great perspective to consider on such an important topic。

Manuel Albaladejo

This is a book that should be read by those concerned with economics and the ongoing environmental crisis。 Some things ought to be said even if they are unpopular and controversial。 The ´laissez-faire´ capitalism has led to an unsustainable development model that only cares about growth。 This view was rooted in dualism, a doctrine that separates the thinking and the material world, thus grounding the principle of humans´ divergence and domination over nature。 Jason Hickel argues that some fixes This is a book that should be read by those concerned with economics and the ongoing environmental crisis。 Some things ought to be said even if they are unpopular and controversial。 The ´laissez-faire´ capitalism has led to an unsustainable development model that only cares about growth。 This view was rooted in dualism, a doctrine that separates the thinking and the material world, thus grounding the principle of humans´ divergence and domination over nature。 Jason Hickel argues that some fixes like green growth, circular economy and resource decoupling are likely to fail as they greenwash ´growthism´。 The example of resource decoupling is particularly insightful。 Becoming more resource efficient is useless if consumption keeps rising。 After all what´s the point of declining domestic material consumption as per unit of GDP if material is finite and growth has no limit? Hickel argues that the green growth movement should drop the growth element and that the circular economy is a good fix that can only work in a post-capitalist world。 Hickel puts forward some interesting policy measures like capping resource usage, eliminating planned obsolescence and moving towards a service-based economy, which are all being considered in many parts of the world。 The concept of degrowth per se may prove to be very unpopular in developing countries。 。。。more

Brendan Jones

Five stars because I think everybody in the world needs to read this book, and it achieves its vision。 It's an excellent introduction to degrowth。Three and a half stars for me personally because I didn't get as much out of it as I'd have liked, or expected, but in retrospect my expectations were somewhat misplaced。 It's really just an introduction to degrowth, and I didn't need an introduction and was hungry for more。Therefore if you've already read Jason's blog, some degrowth/steady state econo Five stars because I think everybody in the world needs to read this book, and it achieves its vision。 It's an excellent introduction to degrowth。Three and a half stars for me personally because I didn't get as much out of it as I'd have liked, or expected, but in retrospect my expectations were somewhat misplaced。 It's really just an introduction to degrowth, and I didn't need an introduction and was hungry for more。Therefore if you've already read Jason's blog, some degrowth/steady state economics/ecosocialism literature, some systems thinking, and have a firm grasp of global ecological crises, planetary boundaries, and the systemic causes of growth and inequality, then this book won't hold much new for you。 You'll just get some warm fuzzy affirmation。Further degrowth reading: I highly recommend the thesis (and blog) of Timothee Parrique https://timotheeparrique。com, and the work of Ted Trainer http://thesimplerway。info。 。。。more

Meaghan Carmody

This was a really accessible overview of the state and causes of the climate and biodiversity crises as well as the fundamental tenets of the call for degrowth。 However, I think it leant a bit too heavily on the 'why' of degrowth to the detriment of the 'how'。 I'm still left with lots of questions and as much as I too believe we're all connected and that dualism has been incredibly damaging, we are still left with the fact that we live right now in a capitalocene, the sentinels of which actively This was a really accessible overview of the state and causes of the climate and biodiversity crises as well as the fundamental tenets of the call for degrowth。 However, I think it leant a bit too heavily on the 'why' of degrowth to the detriment of the 'how'。 I'm still left with lots of questions and as much as I too believe we're all connected and that dualism has been incredibly damaging, we are still left with the fact that we live right now in a capitalocene, the sentinels of which actively use their power to promote constant growth。 It touches on how to change the banking system but I would have appreciated more explication of this, as well as how we are to get those currently in power to change how they are doing things in the short period of time we have。 The question of changing politics was glossed over and I think this is too important to just accept。 。。。more

Anna Hogarth

Really good book, I wish a lot of people would read this, and carefully, too。

Dan Castrigano

Another paradigm-shifter。 Up there with Being the Change, The Future Earth, All We Can Save, and Doughnut Economics。 Hickel is a connect-the-dots thinker。 How do we avoid catastrophic climate breakdown? Shorter work weeks, universal basic income, universal health care, universal education, banning advertising, proper governance - all of these things matter。 And anybody who fights for any of these things is fighting for a livable future。 Hickel resoundingly debunks all of the "but we must have gr Another paradigm-shifter。 Up there with Being the Change, The Future Earth, All We Can Save, and Doughnut Economics。 Hickel is a connect-the-dots thinker。 How do we avoid catastrophic climate breakdown? Shorter work weeks, universal basic income, universal health care, universal education, banning advertising, proper governance - all of these things matter。 And anybody who fights for any of these things is fighting for a livable future。 Hickel resoundingly debunks all of the "but we must have growth" arguments over and over。 He draws on Indigenous wisdom。 It's really a dynamo of a book。 Hickel is also a trained anthropologist。 His wisdom echoes on p。 289 in his acknowledgements。 Here's his second paragraph from that page: "What are we doing here? Where are we going? What's it all for? What is the end, as it were, of human existence? Growthism prevents us from stopping to think about these questions。 It prevents us from reflecting on what we actually want our society to achieve。 Indeed, the pursuit of growth comes to stand in for thought itself。 We are in a trance。 We slog on, mindlessly, unaware of what we're doing, unaware of what's happening around us, unaware of what we are sacrificing。。。who we are sacrificing。" It's a call to action。 To wake up。 To be more human。 It's beautiful and poetic philosophy。 We're only here once。 Why are we growing for the sake of growing? It doesn't make any sense。 。。。more

Nancy

I cannot rate this book highly enough。 I read it in two days flat - it would have been quicker if I had of had the time。 I had borrowed it from the library, but immediately went to my local bookshop to order a copy as it definitely bears reading more than once。For starters, this book is one of the clearest and possibly most disturbing outlines and histories of the rise of capitalism。 We all think we understand capitalism, but even I couldn't have summarised it as neatly as Jason Hickel。 He ident I cannot rate this book highly enough。 I read it in two days flat - it would have been quicker if I had of had the time。 I had borrowed it from the library, but immediately went to my local bookshop to order a copy as it definitely bears reading more than once。For starters, this book is one of the clearest and possibly most disturbing outlines and histories of the rise of capitalism。 We all think we understand capitalism, but even I couldn't have summarised it as neatly as Jason Hickel。 He identifies that the driving, indeed, the only factor which defines capitalism is profit。 And that is not profit for a use (use considerations simply don't figure)。 That is profit for the sake of profit for the sake of profit。 Because of this sole consideration, it relies on endless exploitation by powerful bodies of 'free resources' (minerals, bodies, atmosphere) which are then made 'scarce' through propaganda, changing culture, enclosure or pure theft and then sold at higher and higher cost to the people who had enjoyed those free resources for free for centuries prior。 The drive for profit without consideration for anything else is its success but will also be its failure, as eventually, the exploitable free resources will run out。 But each time it appears they are going to run out, a new one is found。 After stealing land through enclosure, bodies were stolen via slavery, then resources stolen via colonialism, then atmosphere and environment stolen via globalisation。 What next? Water? Oxygen? It will be something, because capitalism cannot survive without it。Of course, the book is fundamentally about the degradation of the earth, climate change, biodiversity loss and the destruction of the balance of the planet, but Hickel frames it in the philosophical belief that we all live under which tells us that we (humans) are superior to every other aspect of the earth, living or non-living, and therefore we have a right to exploit it for our own benefit。 He then looks at the idea of animism - understood by almost all indigenous cultures, as well as a number of spiritual practices (Buddhism is one), which sees everything, living and non-living, as inherently containing its own intelligence, without any one being having superiority over any other。 Balance。The author lays out a number of very important, and very doable actions which could help reverse the train wreck we are currently experiencing and which is only going to get worse。 However, I couldn't help but wonder how the hell we were ever going to come close to achieving them when so many people of the world live the mind/body-superior/inferior duality so wholeheartedly。 Those who don't even realise they do, are simply asleep to what is happening。 I see that all around me, despite the numbers of people who are waking up。 But there aren't enough and it is not fast enough。Honestly。 Read。 This。 Book。 。。。more

Vinayak Mishra

A controversial but thought provoking book which has deeply influenced the way I think about economics, consumption and growth。 The ideas it proposes run so contrary to some of the basic assumptions we are taught that I decided to let my thoughts stew for a bit before I wrote this review。 Sharing some of the brilliant points made by Jason Hickel in this book:Our governments, our companies and our economies all run on the assumption that GDP growth is a good thing。 After all, why not? More growth A controversial but thought provoking book which has deeply influenced the way I think about economics, consumption and growth。 The ideas it proposes run so contrary to some of the basic assumptions we are taught that I decided to let my thoughts stew for a bit before I wrote this review。 Sharing some of the brilliant points made by Jason Hickel in this book:Our governments, our companies and our economies all run on the assumption that GDP growth is a good thing。 After all, why not? More growth means that more people have more money to spend, which means that people lead better lives, right? Not true, beyond a point。 1。 Unchecked growth means that corporations grow larger and larger , and their sole focus on profitability comes at the expense of squeezing out other stakeholders - consumers, employees and the environment。 As their size grows, so does their influence - politicians scramble to reduce taxes and minimize regulation, under the direct influence of money (lobbying) or indirect support in the form of the ability to create jobs in their constituencies。 Indeed, many large corporations are beholden only to their shareholders, whose primary incentive will always be value creation (growth)2。 Exponential growth is possible only with endless extraction , which involves bringing more and more of the planet and human activities under the economy, and this is causing us to fast approach the point where our planet cannot regulate and regenerate itself successfully。 Ecological collapse is coming。 And no, this is not just about climate change。 Think water, for example - how long are our ground water supplies supposed to last if both industries and population keep rising at their current rate?3。 What about technology? Surely, technology will save us? Question - Have you ever wondered why we work longer and longer hours despite all the technological advancement we've made over the last half century? Shouldn't that mean we live more relaxed lives, if the work that took ages can now be done at the click of a button? Answer: All the efficiency gains arising from technology are swallowed up by the growth machine。 The baseline is reset and we start off anew, with the goal of squeezing in even more output into the same amount of time。4。 So what do we do? It is important to realize that growth started out as a means to an end - as GDP grows, people move out of poverty and their standard of living improves。 But this is not true exponentially。 Beyond a point, people's satisfaction with their lives does not improve as GDP rises。 The gains accrue only to a few。 The solution is to instead focus on the end goal itself - why not measure people's satisfaction with their lives? Why not adopt measures such as HDI, Gross National Happiness as indicators of a nation's progress。 If your nation is already a "developed" country, why obsesses over further GDP size increase and growth?We still need growth to ensure that billions rise out of poverty in developing nations。 But not everything needs to grow, all the time。 For example, growth in fossil fuel consumption is clearly detrimental to the planet。 Thus, by managing the amount that countries and industries are allowed to grow, we can ensure a more equitable state of things and prevent ecological collapse。5。 Lastly, my favorite portion of this book: What if we did something even more radical? What if we adopted a new paradigm in terms of how we view the Earth - what if we were to treat everything in our environment as "connected"? This isn't some spiritual mumbo-jumbo。 Think about it - all processes on this planet are linked。 Each component of an ecosystem takes from it's surroundings but also gives back。 You can't remove any one component without causing an imbalance in the whole system。 What if humans were to also live in the same way - instead of just taking taking taking (extraction), what if we also focused on giving back? What if we managed the amount we take such that we never disrupt the balance of things?This book isn't perfect。 The core message is heavily driven by the idea of balance and equality, which is something not everyone agrees with。 However, even if you're a skeptic, do read it。 It is definitely an eye-opener which has caused me to reconsider how I live in my life and what I should work towards in the future。 。。。more

Scoots

A world I wish I could see, but too many humans are rubbish and I can't see us achieving this other world as a species。 Time will tell。 I will keep my fingers crossed that we make it through this ultimate test for survival。 A world I wish I could see, but too many humans are rubbish and I can't see us achieving this other world as a species。 Time will tell。 I will keep my fingers crossed that we make it through this ultimate test for survival。 。。。more

Salo

Espectacular。 Lo recomiendo MUCHO。

Rebecca

Jason is Zaddy

Yasin Demir

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Great book。 The salvation of the world, not the humanity, lies in cooperation。 Cooperation of people, countries, continent and even species。 It is also important, not because it sounds poetic, but the policies suggested cannot be run by individual countries。 It would not be sufficient, and when the rest of the world is chasing growth, these policies cannot be economically viable and sustainable for applicants。The reason I am writing this review is the unnecessary part about monetary system。 Simi Great book。 The salvation of the world, not the humanity, lies in cooperation。 Cooperation of people, countries, continent and even species。 It is also important, not because it sounds poetic, but the policies suggested cannot be run by individual countries。 It would not be sufficient, and when the rest of the world is chasing growth, these policies cannot be economically viable and sustainable for applicants。The reason I am writing this review is the unnecessary part about monetary system。 Similar to blockchain maximalists, Hickel attributes too much importance to the monetary system。 It may be an innocent and unimportant glitch, but increasing voices on MMT (Modern Money Theory) are horrifying。Hickel already has given the recipe: High taxes on income (even wealth, though not so necessary) will provide the financing for the "revolution"。 If we manage to have degrowth, (actually we already have it, though not in a way Hickel would prefer) there won't be any inflation, hence high interest rates。 In a world with negative interest, you are already taxing capital。 Ok, not enough, I'd be happy to charge more。 In such a world, last thing you'd want would be unlimited government money distributed to society。 We'd find ourselves in a Weimar inflation world, just in a blink。 So just concentrate to convince rich people (countries) to share the burden, but we must stay away from dangerous trials。 。。。more

Elinor Hurst

Ground-breaking, paradigm-shifting, amazing。 Jason Hickel has done the economics discipline a great service by writing this book。 It brings insights from history, anthropology, sociology, psychology and ecology into building a vision of a much more holistic and fundamentally purposeful economics oriented towards human wellbeing and care for nature。