Economics for a Finite Planet
First published by Earthscan in the UK and USA in 2009
Copyright © Tim Jackson, 2009
“At the heart of the book lies a very simple question. What can prosperity possibly look like in a finite world, with limited resources and a population expected to exceed 9 billion people within decades? Do we have a decent vision of prosperity for such a world? Is this vision credible in the face of the available evidence about ecological limits? How do we go about turning vision into reality?
The prevailing response to these questions is to cast prosperity in economic terms and to call for continuing economic growth as the means to deliver it. Higher incomes mean increased choices, richer lives, an improved quality of life for those who benefit from them. That at least is the conventional wisdom.”[1]
[1]Jackson, Tim. Prosperity without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet (p. 3). Taylor and Francis. Kindle Edition.
Tim Jackson – the author – is a British ecological economist and professor of sustainable development at the University of Surrey. He is the director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (“CUSP”), a multi-disciplinary, international research consortium that aims to understand the economic, social and political dimensions of sustainable prosperity.
However, beyond his academic career, Mr. Jackson is also:
“a versatile dramatist with numerous radio-writing credits. His work includes love stories, biographies, and thrillers.
His dramatic writing has helped bring scientific controversies to a wider audience. With radio producer Janet Whitaker he has explored the complexity of altruism and the controversy of ivory poaching. For former Archers producer Vanessa Whitburn he wrote a 30 episode environmental thriller series exploring the conflict between environment and development.
He has also collaborated closely with drama producer Peter Leslie Wild and documentary producer Rosie Boulton to pioneer new forms of drama-documentary for radio, focusing on the works of artists, writers, and musicians.
Awards for Tim’s radio work include the following: Variations won the 2007 Grand Prix Marulić and was long-listed for the 2008 Sony awards; The Language of Flowers won the 2004 Prix Marulić; The Cry of the Bittern won a Public Awareness of Science (PAWS) Drama Award in 1997; A Rose on the Obverse was a finalist in the Sunday Times Student Drama Festival in 1985.”
In 2009 Tim Jackson was preparing to deliver a report entitled Prosperity Without Growth to the British Prime Minister. The report was, at least partially in response to the economic crisis of 2008. Predictably that was not the right time to question the quasi-religious tenets of capitalism. As a result, the report was never released by the British Government of the day.
Instead, it morphed into a book that has claimed something of a life of its own.
While I love the title, which rings true to me, the book’s first edition was a little disappointing. I found that Tim Jackson, the economist, tried to use statistics and mathematical modeling – the standard tools in an economist’s toolbox – to make his arguments.
Economists use concepts like median income and ‘gross domestic product’ as proxies for human prosperity and well-being. Clearly, as human beings we must recognize that having more stuff doesn’t equate to more happiness.
The video (see link above) begins much like the prologue to the second edition of Prosperity Without Growth – but, part of the way through, Tim Jackson the playwright emerges.
He introduces us to the idea of a psychological state of “flow”.
We asked chat.openai.com (CHAT GPT):
What is the concept behind the psychological state of “flow”?
The concept of “flow” was developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s. Flow refers to a psychological state of complete absorption and focused immersion in an activity. When in a state of flow, individuals are fully engaged in what they are doing, experiencing a sense of energized focus, deep enjoyment, and a distorted sense of time.
The key characteristics of flow include:
Intense concentration: When in flow, individuals become highly focused on the task at hand, losing self-awareness and becoming fully absorbed in the present moment. The activity becomes intrinsically rewarding, and individuals may experience a sense of effortless action.
Clear goals and feedback: Flow occurs when individuals have clear goals and receive immediate feedback about their performance. This allows them to adjust and refine their actions continually, maintaining the balance between their skills and the challenges of the task.
Merging of action and awareness: In a state of flow, individuals experience a merging of action and awareness. They become so immersed in the activity that their sense of self-consciousness diminishes, and their actions flow seamlessly.
Loss of self-consciousness: Flow is characterized by a loss of self-consciousness, where individuals become less concerned about their personal worries, self-doubt, and judgment. They are fully engaged in the activity, and their sense of self temporarily disappears.
Altered sense of time: Individuals often lose track of time during flow. Hours can feel like minutes, and they may be surprised to discover how much time has passed once they emerge from the flow state.
The artist, the athlete, spiritual leaders – and even gardeners or cooks can experience ‘peak performance’ of the kind that makes life richer. For Jackson, consumerism is a cage that limits us. Consuming more ‘stuff’ does not make us richer.
In 2011 I had a digital art collection (WORKING) accepted into the CONTAINER ART show at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. At the time, I was working as a senior manager in MNP’s Vancouver tax practice. I had no illusions that I would ever make any money selling digital artwork. However, I was quite aware that working in our culture is much more than a simple exchange of money for services.
I suspect that artists and entrepreneurs both stretch themselves in order to achieve ‘peak performance’ and experience the “state of flow”. Certainly preparing for the art show allowed me to experience a little of the ‘flow’ myself.
While economics emphasizes material things – and emphasizes money as a proxy for material things – it’s clear to me that time is the one thing that is constrained for all living things. Making the most of our time should be what matters to human beings.
Of course, that doesn’t stop me from wanting the latest technological gadgets. When GOOGLE introduced the new Pixel 7, I almost succumbed even though my Pixel 6 is perfectly adequate.
Magpie and Crow Fight over Shiny Object – DALL E Image Creator
Finding Flow: Exploring the Potential for Sustainable Fulfilment – Amy Isham PhD and Prof Tim Jackson PhD
Perhaps most useful, Jackson asks us to reconsider what prosperity means.
“If this seems elusive, even delusional from a modern perspective, it’s useful to remember that beyond the consumer paradise lie some strong competing visions of the good life. Some of these hail from psychology and sociology; others from economic history. Some draw on secular or philosophical viewpoints; others are from the religious or ‘wisdom’ traditions.
Not surprisingly, there are differences between the various approaches. But there are also some striking similarities. Almost all perspectives, even religious ones, accept that prosperity has some material dimensions. It’s perverse to talk about things going well, when you lack the basic material resources required to sustain yourself: food and water to be adequately nourished or materials for clothing and shelter.
Security in achieving these aims is also important. Somehow, it’s not quite enough to feel satisfied today, if you have no idea where the next square meal is coming from. It’s hard to relax when you know the harvest is about to fail. Or your bank account is empty. Or your mortgage payments are overdue.
But, from at least the time of Aristotle, it has been clear that something more than material security is needed for human beings to flourish. Prosperity has vital social and psychological dimensions. To do well is in part about the ability to give and receive love, to enjoy the respect of your peers, to contribute useful work, and to have a sense of belonging and trust in the community.”[1]
Traditional economics uses money and goods as a proxy for prosperity. Jackson’s book exposes this notion as a dangerous over-simplification.
[1] Jackson, Tim. Prosperity without Growth (p. 48). Taylor and Francis. Kindle Edition.
BACKGROUND:
While organized religion has sometimes failed us in the past, we’ve seen morality police in Iran and Afghanistan, the Doctrine of Discovery in Europe, and conversion therapy in North America. However, economists aren’t much better when they confuse Adam Smith’s ‘invisible hand’ with ‘the hand of God’.
Maybe we need our spiritual leaders to ‘up their game’ and help us through this crisis.
What did Ghandi say about materialism?
ChatGPT
“Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement and a prominent figure in advocating for nonviolence and social justice, had several thoughts on materialism. Here are a few quotes that reflect Gandhi’s views on the subject:
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
Gandhi emphasized the idea that there is a distinction between genuine human needs and insatiable greed. He believed that the Earth’s resources are abundant enough to meet everyone’s essential needs but cautioned against the destructive nature of unchecked materialistic desires.
“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”
This quote reinforces Gandhi’s belief that individual greed can lead to imbalances and injustice. He advocated for a society where resources are distributed equitably, addressing the needs of all rather than allowing excessive accumulation of wealth by a few.
“Man’s happiness really lies in contentment.”
Gandhi emphasized the importance of contentment as a source of true happiness. He believed that finding satisfaction within oneself and being content with what one has, rather than constantly seeking material possessions, is key to a meaningful and fulfilled life.
“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.”
Gandhi highlighted the significance of the journey and effort rather than focusing solely on material outcomes. He believed that true fulfillment comes from dedicating oneself to meaningful actions and striving for a just society rather than fixating on material wealth or achievements.
“It is the quality of our work which will please God and not the quantity.”
Gandhi emphasized the importance of the quality of one’s actions and work over the accumulation of material possessions. He believed that one’s integrity, ethical conduct, and dedication to serving others mattered more than material wealth or external markers of success.
These quotes reflect Gandhi’s belief in simplicity, contentment, and the dangers of unchecked materialism. He sought to emphasize the importance of balance, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of spiritual and moral values over the accumulation of material possessions.”
Indigenous peoples in North America have a concept of one bowl with many spoons. What’s meant by this?
ChatGPT
“The concept of “one bowl with many spoons” is a metaphor that is often used to describe the traditional resource-sharing practices among indigenous peoples in North America. It refers to the idea that the land and its resources are shared collectively among different tribes or nations.
In this metaphorical bowl, each tribe or nation is represented by a spoon, and they all share from the same bowl. The spoons symbolize the different indigenous communities, each with its own unique cultural traditions and territories, but they come together to collectively use and manage shared resources.
The concept emphasizes cooperation, reciprocity, and the understanding that everyone has a stake in the well-being and sustainability of the shared resources. It recognizes the interconnectedness of indigenous communities and the need for collaboration and harmony to ensure the long-term survival and prosperity of all.
The metaphor also highlights the importance of responsible resource management and the need to balance individual interests with the collective good. It encourages practices such as sustainable hunting, fishing, gathering, and land stewardship, ensuring that resources are used in a way that preserves their abundance for future generations.
The concept of “one bowl with many spoons” reflects the traditional values of indigenous peoples in North America and their deep respect for the land, the interconnectedness of communities, and the recognition of the shared responsibilities for its care and preservation.”
What did Jesus mean when he said “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”?
ChatGPT
“The statement you are referring to comes from the Bible, specifically from the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew 19:24, where Jesus says, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
The passage appears in the context of a conversation between Jesus and his disciples about the challenges of attaining eternal life and the role of wealth. The disciples express surprise at Jesus’ teaching that it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus responds with the analogy of a camel going through the eye of a needle.
The phrase is often interpreted metaphorically rather than literally. The analogy of a camel passing through the eye of a needle highlights the immense difficulty, if not impossibility, for a rich person to detach themselves from material wealth and place their ultimate trust and allegiance in God. It underscores the potential spiritual obstacles that wealth can present, such as greed, attachment, and the distraction from the pursuit of spiritual values.
The statement does not imply that wealth itself is inherently sinful or that all wealthy individuals are excluded from the kingdom of God. Instead, it emphasizes the challenges and potential pitfalls that come with the pursuit and accumulation of wealth. Jesus’ message encourages a focus on spiritual values, humility, and detachment from material possessions, suggesting that one’s relationship with wealth should be examined in light of one’s commitment to God and the well-being of others.”