What's the economy for, anyway? why it's time to stop chasing growth and start pursuing happiness

"What's The Economy For, Anyway? is a thought-provoking, funny, readable, anti-ideological book based on the cult hit film of the same name. Here, scholars John de Graaf (author of Affluenza) and David Batker tackle thirteen touchstone economic issues and challenge readers to consider just what the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: De Graaf, John
Other Authors: Batker, David
Format: Books Print Book
Language:English
Published: New York : Bloomsbury Press, 2011.
Edition:1st U.S. ed.
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Summary:"What's The Economy For, Anyway? is a thought-provoking, funny, readable, anti-ideological book based on the cult hit film of the same name. Here, scholars John de Graaf (author of Affluenza) and David Batker tackle thirteen touchstone economic issues and challenge readers to consider just what the point of our economy is. Emphasizing powerful American ideals such as working together, pragmatism, and equality for all, de Graaf and Batker set forth a simple, powerful goal for any economic system: the greatest good for the greatest number, over the longest run. Their vision will appeal to a wide array of readers across traditional silos. Drawing from this nation's rich economic history, the book shows that the good life in America is achieved when people and markets work together with an active government to create a better economy, one that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. Beginning by taking our fetish for GDP and shattering it, the chapters touch on quality of life, health, security, time management, worklife, leisure, social justice, and perhaps most important, sustainability. This sparkling, message-driven book is exactly what we need: a guide to what really matters, and how we can use the resources of our economy to make the world a better place"--
Physical Description:ix, 292 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9781608195107 (hardback)
1608195104 (hardback)
Author Notes:John de Graaf is the national coordinator of Take Back Your Time, an organization challenging time poverty and overwork in the U.S. and Canada (see www.timeday.org) and a frequent speaker on issues of overwork and over-consumption in America. John is the co-author of the best-selling Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic . David Batker is a fellow of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont. He is the director of Earth Economics, a firm which provides ecologically-oriented economic analysis.