Sustainable Capitalism: A Matter of Common Sense / Edition 1

by John Ikerd

Overview

* Addresses the philosophical and scientific roots of sustainability
* Examines neglected ethical and moral aspects of capitalist economic theory
* Advocates a new sustainable paradigm for all living organizations, businesses, economics, and societies

Over the past half-century, capitalist economics has deviated from its original social purpose into an amoral quest for economic growth at any cost. A relentless pursuit of profits and the "bottom line" poses a constant threat to the earth and the life upon it. Ikerd, who spent the first half of his thirty-year academic career as a traditional free-market, neoclassical economist, came to see the inherently extractive and exploitative nature of his own field and began to develop an alternative vision for capitalism, which he lays out in this book.

In order to foster a new economics of sustainability, social and ethical values must be reintegrated into capitalist economics, thus restoring a sense of balance into the economic system that ensures that communities the world over will thrive. Rather than calling for the overthrow of capitalism, Ikerd suggests how capitalism can become a vehicle for these ends.

Both a penetrating critique of capitalism and an exploration of its vast and untapped potential for maximizing human welfare, Sustainable Capitalism: A Matter of Common Sense is written for those concerned with the future of our planet and the continued viability of global capitalism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565492066
Publisher:	Kumarian Press, Inc.
Publication date:	08/28/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.21(d)

About the Author

John Ikerd spent the first half of his thirty-year academic career as a traditional free-market, neoclassical economist. He served on the faculties of four major state universities during his career: North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Missouri. Growing concerns for the lack of ecological, social, and economic sustainability of American agriculture during the 1980s led to broader concerns for the lack of sustainability for American society in general. As an economist, Dr. Ikerd eventually came to understand that growing threats to ecological and social sustainability are rooted in the neoclassical paradigm of economic development, which is inherently extractive and exploitative, and thus, is not sustainable. Dr. Ikerd spent the last half of his academic career and much of his time since retirement developing and testing the concepts and principles of an alternative development paradigm, the economics of sustainability, which are elucidated in this book.

Table of Contents

1) The Neglect and Principles of Economics; 2) The Pursuit of Enlightened Self-Interests; 3) The Challenge of Sustainable Development; 4) The Inadequacies of Ecological Economics; 5) Economics as Life Science; 6) Managing the Sustainable Organization; 7) The Three Economics of Sustainability; 8) Managing the Moral Economy; 9) Managing the Public Economy; 10) Managing the Private Economy; 11) Sustainable Capitalism

Editorial Reviews

"For years, John Ikerd's writings and speeches have provided precious insights into the economics of this nation's food system, exploding the myth that factory farms are economically imperative. In this brilliant book, he makes a powerful case for a new capitalistic economy: one that is environmentally sound, socially just, and economically sustainable."

"In this highly readable, accessible, and provocative book, economist John Ikerd sets out an ambitious goal: to challenge neoclassical economics and to suggest a new way of achieving a sustainable economic system...Ikerd is a highly qualified and articulate critic who is up to this task.. This book performs a real service by convincingly stating that sustainable capitalism need not just be a limiting future and that government's role in the economy should involve more than simply protecting private property rights."

"This text is an easy and fascinating read. In many ways, it helped me better understand why Holistic Management is so effective and the importance of understanding the relationships within natural systems (including human systems)."

From the Publisher