Why do politicians and economists chase boundless economic growth when wealth is shared so unequally and not an indicator of wellbeing? That’s the core theme of Tim Jackson’s 2009 book Prosperity Without Growth, this month’s Our Planet, Our Future Sustainability Book Club’s read.
In an argument first outlined in a UK government report, Jackson reasons that infinite economic growth is impossible on a finite planet. We must, he says, decouple our concept of prosperity from financial growth, if all of us are to live well. Jackson’s thoughts quickly gained ground and were shared all around the world, inspiring him to publish this book.
Although over 15 years old, many of Jackson’s concepts, including the limitations of GDP and the importance of community resilience still feel deeply current. The book drew comparisons with Doughnut Economics, a previous book club pick that one member declared ‘essential reading’.
Defining prosperity and questioning GDP
We began by discussing the real meaning of prosperity. Traditionally, this has been seen in the context of financial wealth, and GDP was introduced to track post-war recovery. But despite this, some countries have high GDPs alongside deep inequality and low levels of wellbeing. Clearly then, it’s an inadequate, outdated measure of success.
So what does Jackson suggest instead? He suggests a shift towards a service-based economy. Some of us found this vision overly idealistic, as we’d still need to produce goods like food and clothing. But others believe that craftsmanship could be redefined as a service, particularly if clothes are made to last and come with repair guarantees. We recognised the big cultural shift this would require. The artificially low prices of fast fashion would skyrocket to give everyone involved, from fabric manufacturers to garment sewers, a true living wage.
It would be interesting to explore whether the book’s ideas are still relevant in the age of AI. Now, creativity seemingly comes at the touch of a button, devaluing crafts many have worked so hard to hone.
What does prosperity mean in practice?
One book club member shared her recent trip to Shetland with us, noting how small communities like Unst embody some of Jackson’s principles. Repair and barter are common aspects of everyday life. This led to a discussion of the right to repair legislation, which obliges manufacturers to share technical information to help consumers repair faulty electronics instead of throwing them away.
Conscious brands are starting to move towards repairable or circular models – Rapanui and Fairphone are two examples.
More people are discovering the joy (and savings) of repairing goods and clothes at repair fairs in Harpenden and St Albans. You can find out more about how to creatively repair your items in this blog about visible mending.
A slower pace of life
Many of us were drawn to Jackson’s call for a more patient, less consumption-driven lifestyle. From embracing four-day working weeks and capturing carbon with moss to making ships more energy efficient by sloughing away the barnacles, we discussed how we could cut or remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Some felt the book was preaching to the converted. Others gained a realisation of how shopping can sometimes fill a psychological need that might be better filled with community. We were reminded of the power of getting to know our neighbours, like the Playing Out project, which can help us feel more supported and connected, reducing our reliance on consumerism.
We ended the evening with a discussion on Universal Basic Income. Many felt it could offer people the freedom to pursue meaningful work that serves our communities, boosting prosperity without the need to chase economic growth.
Our next event
Want to broaden your knowledge of sustainability challenges and solutions while meeting like-minded readers?
On the 23rd October, we’ll discuss A Climate of Truth: Why We Need It And How To Get It by Mike Berners-Lee at the Cross Keys pub in Harpenden. Book your free spot here. The book is available on Hive and Audible.
About Our Planet Our Future’s Environment Book Club
Our Planet Our Future, Sustainable St Albans’ landmark series of talks and events, launched the Environment Book Club in 2023. The book club meets monthly in Harpenden to explore books that inspire us to live more sustainably and think differently about the future. Join us and be part of the conversation.
Catch up on previous book club reviews
Explore our past discussions and discover more sustainability reads:
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- Blue Machine by Helen Czerski
- Badvertising by Andrew Simms and Leo Murray
- Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
- Regenesis by George Monbiot
- Five Times Faster by Simon Sharpe