The New Economics A Bigger Picture

Economics sometimes seems to be stacked against social, environmental and individual well-being. But it doesn't have to be like this. A new approach to economics - deriving as much from Ruskin and Schumacher as from Keynes or Smith - has begun to emerge. Skeptical about money as a measure of success, this new economics turns our assumptions about wealth and poverty upside down. It shows us that real wealth can be measured by increased well-being and environmental sustainability rather than just having and consuming more things. This book is the first accessible and straightforward guide to the new economics. It describes the problems and bizarre contradictions in conventional economics as well as the principles of the emerging new economics, and it tells the real-world stories of how new economics is being successfully put into practice around the world. An essential guide to understanding new economics for all those who care about making economics work for people and planet.

1. The Economic Problem 2. No Wealth but Life: A Brief History of the New Economics 3. Measurement: Why is an Apparently Poor Pacific Island at the Top of the Happy Planet Index? 4. Money: Why did China Pay for the Iraq War? 5. Markets: Why has London Traffic Always Travelled at 12mph? 6. Life: Why do Modern Britons Work Harder than Medieval Peasants? 7. Resources: Why are Cuban Mechanics the Best in the World? 8. Trade: Why Does Britain Import the Same Number of Chocolate Waffles as it Exports? 9. Community: Why do Fewer People Vote when there is a Wal-Mart Nearby? 10. Debt: Why are Malawi Villagers Paying the Mortgages of Surbiton Stockbrokers? 11. The Future Appendix A: From the Ashes of the Crash: 20 First Steps from New Economics to Rebuild a Better Economy Appendix B: New Economic Tools and Techniques

David Boyle is a fellow at the New Economics Foundation (nef). He played a leading role in the launch of time banks and is an author and journalist, with publications including Funny Money, The Tyranny of Numbers and Authenticity, The Little Money Book, The Money Changers, Blondel's Song and The Sum of our Discontent. Andrew Simms, author of Tescopoly, is policy director at nef and a commentator on issues like climate change and 'clone town Britain'. His other publications include Why Good Lives Needn't Cost the Earth and Ecological Debt.