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Sustainability

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)

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Sustainability

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  1. Sustainability POLS 319: Fall 2011 Fisher

  2. 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 butmarkets 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?

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 3 Arguments against Growth • 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. • Physics and Chemistry: end of oil and pollution • Peak Oil and declining fossil fuels • Costanza: real costs vs. externalities • Psychological: growth no longer makes us happy • Focus on “well being” • New kind of utilitarianism

  6. 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

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