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olivierbeys 's review for:
Post Growth: Life After Capitalism
by Tim Jackson
Jackson is a household name in the critique of economics obsessed with (GDP) growth. His 2009 book Prosperity without Growth was a huge eye-opener for me personally, so I was eagerly anticipating this book.
He is not only an economist but also a playwright. His forays into philosophy and literature are a welcome feature of his writings, contrasting well with the dry economics of your typical Marxist, for example. This time, however, he takes it to the next level.
Contrary to the title, he doesn't venture deep into concrete life after capitalism. Instead of exploring the care economy or the wellbeing economy, we get a lot of personal anecdotes, notably the one about Bobby Kennedy's famous Kansas address in which he condemns GDP for measuring everything except what makes life worth living.
It felt a bit as if Jackson had already said all he had to say about the case for a post-growth, post-capitalist world, and was looking for a more spiritual underpinning to the struggle. This may appeal to some readers, but others will be a little disappointed with the lack of practical guidance.
He is not only an economist but also a playwright. His forays into philosophy and literature are a welcome feature of his writings, contrasting well with the dry economics of your typical Marxist, for example. This time, however, he takes it to the next level.
Contrary to the title, he doesn't venture deep into concrete life after capitalism. Instead of exploring the care economy or the wellbeing economy, we get a lot of personal anecdotes, notably the one about Bobby Kennedy's famous Kansas address in which he condemns GDP for measuring everything except what makes life worth living.
It felt a bit as if Jackson had already said all he had to say about the case for a post-growth, post-capitalist world, and was looking for a more spiritual underpinning to the struggle. This may appeal to some readers, but others will be a little disappointed with the lack of practical guidance.