SUSTAINABILITY POLS 319: Fall 2011 Fisher

Main Pts to Open Book  New “happiness” research intersects with environmental realities concerning the limits of growth  “growth is no longer making most people wealthier, but instead generating inequality and insecurity” (p1)  “More” and “Better” no longer go together (although it may for some in developing world)  We need a radical shift toward local economies  Not the end of capitalism or markets  but markets are no longer to be worshipped as infallible, efficiency is no longer the highest goal  We have to change our orientation toward what constitutes progress.  Perspective is neither “liberal” nor “conservative” (more communitarian).  Broader Q: Is Communitarianism the answer to protecting ecosystems, our happiness and physical survival?

Communitarianism  A theory or system of social organization based on small self-governing communities.  An ideology that emphasizes the responsibility of the individual to the community and the social importance of the family unit.  Important element in building ‘social capital’ as the foundation for democracy and citizen participation

After Growth  Growth changed the economic (and social) philosophy post WWII – “a cult of growth”  Argues that capitalism didn’t have to become so “extreme”  focus on more is better growth  we need not think of things so deterministically.

3 Arguments against Growth 1. Political: growth as we now do it is creating more inequality and more insecurity  Why? Decline in unions, centralization of corps, trade agrs, tax cuts, etc. 2. Physics and Chemistry: end of oil and pollution  Peak Oil and declining fossil fuels  Costanza: real costs vs. externalities 3. Psychological: growth no longer makes us happy  Focus on “well being”  New kind of utilitarianism

The Durable Future  Comparison of China (unfettered growth) with other counter models.  Movement from rural spaces of relative autonomy to urban shanty towns  Can the world live like Americans and be built on China’s model for unfettered growth?  Europeans are more communitarian…use half US energy, live smaller scales and are generally happier.  Move to local economies, with local communications, and farmer’s markets