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book: Growth for Good
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Growth for Good

Reshaping Capitalism to Save Humanity from Climate Catastrophe
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2022

About this book

The current model of economic expansion driven by fossil fuels is unsustainable, leading many to toy with the idea of ditching growth to save the planet. But, as Alessio Terzi argues, a post-growth world would be prone to catastrophes no less serious than climate change itself. Luckily, with the right policies, growth can be made earth-friendly.

Reviews

Calls for an energy transition that doesn’t reject growth but does involve more government support, international coordination and social cohesion to ensure nobody gets left behind.
-- Lionel Laurent Bloomberg

[This book] shows what is at stake in the debate surrounding the relationship between the economic system and the environment. Policymakers and those working in environmental sociology and economics will find this book particularly fruitful.
-- Yusuf Murteza LSE Review of Books

Terzi persuasively demonstrates an idealistic argument that the capitalist growth imperative, or market expansion, can be harnessed for good, with the support of governments, international coordination and social cohesion…A welcome addition to the debate on the future of capitalism.
-- Kate O'Reilly International Affairs

This is an essential book for the students, professionals, and people engaged in the debate around green growth in the context of rising climate-led extreme events…Path-breaking.
-- Anjal Prakash Economic & Political Weekly

Growth for Good is a thought-provoking state-of-the-art depiction of the cleavages between our economic model, society and the fight against climate change. With his clear and concise analysis, Terzi makes a refreshingly holistic but pragmatic contribution to a debate that is riddled with normative and idealistic theories. Even more importantly, the book provides a tangible agenda for how governments, businesses and citizens can work together to transform capitalism into a force for good.
-- Lucas Resenda Carvalho Progressive Post

Are capitalism and economic growth the source of humanity’s most pressing problems—climate change in particular—or the solution? Whichever way you come out on this question, this book will be a revelation. Terzi’s optimistic and compelling message is that a green and more equitable future is possible, but only if we remake capitalism as we know it.
-- Dani Rodrik, author of The Globalization Paradox

This important book takes the reader on a journey through economic history to conclude that people, planet, and prosperity are not only compatible—they are inseparable. A must-read for policymakers, and anyone interested in fighting climate change.
-- Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy and former Prime Minister of Italy

This book is an extremely readable guide as to both why we need to treat climate change so much more seriously as well as why such a path might deliver better sustainable and fairer economic growth.


-- Jim O’Neill, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom

A spirited defense (against degrowthers) of the need for growth…Growth for Good does an excellent job of pointing out the silences and the inconsistencies in degrowth arguments.
-- Diane Coyle Enlightened Economist

Terzi thoughtfully engages with the ‘degrowth movement’…Although he acknowledges the urgent need to attend to climate change and income inequality, he makes the case that only the resources made available by an expanding market economy will suffice to address these problems.
-- Barry Eichengreen Foreign Affairs

Growth for Good is thought-provoking and important, and builds a compelling case by linking the literature on economic growth, inequality, and climate change. I hope this book reaches the hands of economic advisors of key politicians and persuades them to embrace the future.
-- Roger Fouquet, editor of Handbook on Green Growth

Drawing knowledge from economic history and beyond, Alessio Terzi passionately argues that economic growth can and should be made compatible with a greener future for our planet and that capitalism can become a precious ally to this end. A must-read.
-- Sascha O. Becker, Monash University

Topics

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    Frontmatter

    i
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    Contents

    vii
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    Preface

    ix
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    Introduction: The Origins of Discontent

    1
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  • Part I: Economic Growth and Capitalism
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    1 The Limits of Economic Growth

    13
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    2 Growth and the Mechanics of Capitalism

    30
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    3 Post-Growth Dystopia

    49
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    4 The Italian Canary in the Growthless Coalmine

    77
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  • Part II: The Green Plan to Avoid Disaster
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    5 The True Origins of the Growth Imperative

    97
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    6 Understanding the Winds of Change

    128
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    7 The Global Fight for Planet Earth

    154
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    8 A Blueprint for Green Capitalism

    182
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    Conclusion: The Future of Growth in a Green World

    214
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    Appendix A. GDP and Energy Return on Energy Investment

    227
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    Appendix B. China’s Great Withdrawal and Japan’s Seclusion

    231
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    Notes

    235
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    Bibliography

    297
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    Acknowledgments

    327
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    Index

    329
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
May 24, 2022
eBook ISBN:
9780674276338
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
320
View content
https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674276338
eBook ISBN: 9780674276338
Keywords for this book
Climate change; Degrowth; Sustainable growth; GDP; Beyond GDP; International climate policy; Economic history of growth; Environmental economics; Innovation; Future of capitalism; Energy economics; Prosperity; Green Deal; Geopolitics of climate
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