Growth FetishFor decades our political leaders and opinion makers have touted higher incomes as the way to a better future. Economic growth means better lives for us all. But after many years of sustained economic growth and increased personal incomes we must confront an awful fact: we aren't any happier. This is the great contradiction of modern politics. In this provocative new book, Clive Hamilton argues that, far from being the answer to our problems, growth fetishism and the marketing society lie at the heart of our social ills. They have corrupted our social priorities and political structures, and have created a profound sense of alienation among young and old. Growth Fetish is the first serious attempt at a politics of change for rich countries dominated by sicknesses of affluence, where the real yearning is not for more money but for authentic identity, and where the future lies in creating a society that promotes the things that really do improve our well-being. |
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activities advertising Andre Gorz argue Australia become belief benefit Bobos in Paradise cent characterised Clive Hamilton conservative consumer capitalism consumption corporations costs create cultural decades democracy downshifting Ecodesign ecological economic growth economics texts economists emissions environmental exploitation Gavan McCormack Genuine Progress Indicator Giddens global globalisation goals Gorz growth fetish growth rate happier happiness Herman Daly household housework human ibid identity ideology income increase individual industry inequality investment Japan Japanese Juliet Schor labour market Left less levels liberation lifestyle lives longer Mark Diesendorf marketing society material means measures ment modern natural environment natural world neoliberal numbers oppression parties patriarchy philosophy policies political post-growth society poverty psychological pursuit question reduce relationship rich countries Schor sense social democratic social structure space sustain Third tion trade transformation unemployment wealth welfare wellbeing women workers