How Economic
Growth Has Enriched The Few, Impoverished The Many, and Endangered
The Planet
Author:
Richard Douthwaite
Format:
Soft Cover
Length:
400 pages
Publisher:
New Society
ISBN:
0865713960
Copyright:
1999
The idea that economic growth
is necessary is deeply rooted in western culture and forms the basis
of the economic strategies for developed and developing nations around
the globe. A finalist in the GPA Book Award when first released in 1993,
this fully updated and revised edition of Richard Douthwaite's critically
acclaimed The Growth Illusion demonstrates why economic growth
is a prescription for disaster and suggests how to redirect our capitalist
system toward more positive ends.
Douthwaite examines the history of western economic growth from the
birth of capitalism through the industrial revolution and the world
wars, drawing a startling link between rising GNP and the erosion of
the quality of our health, family and community life, and a sustainable
future. This engaging and well-researched work looks at the end of the
American dream and why national growth patterns are so difficult to
break, and offers radical ideas to steer our economies on a new course.
The Growth Illusion has been substantially updated to reflect
the fast moving political, economic, and social changes that have occurred
since the book was first released. The author has gone to considerable
lengths to update the new edition, including revisiting how unfettered
growth has affected each of the case study countries included in the
first edition.
Douthwaite's analysis of growth turns economic wisdom on its head -
and, as unconventional as his ideas are, a Neighborhood Works
reviewer noted that they are almost indisputable.
Reviews
"A controversial book whose findings will be debated by economists
worldwide. Highly recommended." -- Library Journal
"A breakthrough! An honest economist willing to go public on why
pursuing economic growth formulas leads societies not toward development,
but to disaster." -- Hazel Henderson
About the Author
Richard Douthwaite is a columnist for The Irish Times, New Internationalist,
and Earthwatch, and author of the influential book, Short
Circuit: Strengthening Local Economies in an Unstable World. He
lives in Westport, Ireland.
Purchase Growth Illusion 
