Synopses & Reviews
For the past three decades, economic theory and policy has been dominated by neoclassical doctrine. Driven by private interests unprecedented damage has been done to the environment and society. More austerity and less government continues to be posited as the answer to oncoming waves of crisis.
It doesn't have to be this way, however. Featuring a remarkable roster of internationally renowned critical thinkers, Co-operatives in a Post-Growth Era presents a feasible alternative for a more environmentally sustainable and equitable economic system based on the co-operative business model. With more than 100 million people working in co-operatives and more than a billion members around the world, the time has never been better for cooperatives everywhere to recognize their own potential and own ability to change the economic landscape.
An essential book for students, policymakers and concerned citizens looking for a practical way to change the current stagnant economic paradigm.
Synopsis
For the past three decades, neoclassical doctrine has dominated economic theory and policy. The balance of power has shifted to protect private interests, resulting in unprecedented damage to the environment and society, with no solution in sight as more austerity and less government continues to be posited as the answer to the oncoming waves of crisis.
It doesn't have to be this way. Featuring a remarkable roster of internationally renowned critical thinkers, Co-operatives in a Post-Growth Era presents a feasible alternative for a more environmentally sustainable and equitable economic system - specifically, the co-operative business model. With more than 100 million people working in co-operatives and more than a billion members around the world, the time has never been better for co-operatives everywhere to recognise their potential to change the economic landscape.
An essential book for students, policymakers and concerned citizens looking for a practical way to change the current stagnant economic paradigm.
About the Author
Sonja Novkovic is Professor of Economics at Saint Mary's University, Halifax. She is the past president of the International Association for the Economics of Participation (IAFEP) and past Vice President of the Canadian Association for Studies in Cooperation (CASC).
Tom Webb is an Adjunct Professor at Saint Mary's University School of Business and former Program Manager of the Master of Management - Co-operatives and Credit Unions (MMCCU).
Table of Contents
Introduction: Co-operative economics, why our world needs it - Tom Webb and Sonja Novkovic
Part One: What is the new economy and why do we need it?
1. The world on a collision course and the need for a new economy - Manfred Max-Neef
2. The new economy - Neva Goodwin
3. The world we need - Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett
4. Are prosperity and sustainability compatible? - William E. Rees
5. Living well: explorations into the end of growth - Peter A. Victor
6. Complexity: shock, innovation and resilience - Thomas Homer-Dixon
7. Finance for the Anthropocene - John Fullerton
Part Two: Co-operatives and the new economy
8. Choices, incentives and co-operative organisation - Stefano Zamagni
9. Are co-operatives a viable business form? Lessons from behavioural economics - Morris Altman
10. The co-operative enterprise: a valid alternative for a balanced society - Vera Negri Zamagni
11. Employee ownership and health: an initial study - David Erdal
12. Co-operatives in a global economy: key issues, recent trends and potential for development - Stephen C. Smith and Jonathan Rothbaum
13. A role for co-operatives in governance of common-pool resources and common property systems - Barbara Allen
14. Is the debt trap avoidable? - Claudia Sanchez Bajo
Conclusion - Sonja Novkovic and Tom Webb