Description
Book SynopsisParallax of Growth explores the ideas of economy and ecology and the factors that have put them on a collision course. Bjerg argues that our current mode of economic organization is characterized by an inherent �debt drive�, whereby the creation of money through the issuance of commercial bank credit has locked our economy into a vicious circle of forced growth and increasing debt.
Parallax of Growth is not a catalogue of solutions to the ecological or the economic crisis. The book aims to shift the inquiry from �what shall we do?� to �why have we not already done it?� In order to address the challenges of our contemporary times of crisis, we need to understand how the idea of growth is deeply ingrained in the ideology as well as the organization of our society. The book aims to open the space for philosophical thinking about this important issue.
Trade Review"Ole Bjerg takes a fresh look at capitalism�s existential ecological crisis from beyond the usual perspectives of growth, de-growth and green growth. He argues that, before we can change our orientation towards growth, we need to understand why we have not changed it already. Bjerg�s philosophical therapy eco-analysis might just be what equips us with the thinking to be able to act."
Tony Greenham, Director of Economy, Enterprise and Manufacturing, RSA "In this fascinating philosophical reflection, Ole Bjerg draws on the ideas of Slavoj iek to show that, in spite of the public opposition between ecological and economic approaches to well-being and the environment, they are in fact mutually constitutive paradigms that shape contemporary ideology and the social reality of nature. This argument casts a new light on issues of growth, justice and sustainability and will be of considerable interest to a wide readership both within and beyond the academy."
Arjun Appadurai, New York UniversityTable of Contents
- Introduction
- Part One: The Logy of Eco
- Chapter 1 - Balance of Nature
- Chapter 2 - Ecology Beyond Biology
- Part Two: The Nomy of Eco
- Chapter 3 - How is the Economy?
- Chapter 4 - The Market Theory of Value
- Chapter 5 - The Fantasy of Growth without Bounds
- Part Three: �Economy or Ecology? Yes, Please!�
- Chapter 6 - The Need to Grow
- Chapter 7 - The Desire to Grow
- Chapter 8 - The Drive for Growth
- Conclusion: �It�s the Money, Stupid!�
- Bibliography
- Index
