Zero Growth Economy

With regrets … but the time has come to say “Goodbye Quakernomics”!

Three events in the autumn of 2009 gave me some hope that Friends were prepared to look at causes as well as symptoms. I have in mind the two meetings on the theme of Zero Growth (at Friends House, 26 September and at Woodbrooke in late October), and the launch of Quakernomics.
It will already be [...]

A serious proposal …

… to establish an informal Quaker Economics Group.
“Quakernomics” was launched around the time of the first Woodbrooke/QPSW “No Growth Economy” meetings (at Friends House, 26 September 2009)  It began well and has had (at the date of this posting) over 5000 visits. But has never really fulfilled what some of us hoped it would become: [...]

I wish I could find some cause for optimism …

… but, reading this morning’s newspapers, it seems that ‘reducing the budget deficit’ has now replaced ‘restoring economic growth’ as the principle (if not the only) objective of public policy.
One problem is that I do not think that the measures proposed by our Chancellor can achieve the objective he desires.  The present system (it hardly [...]

On acquiring the courage – and the means – to change things …

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On the wall of my mother’s bedroom were the words of the serenity prayer: “God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can….”
As our political leaders ignore the serious proposals for a new economics and a new economy – wheeling out, once again, [...]

Trivia … and thoughtfulness

Two items catch my eye from browsing the internet this morning (18 May).  One from the Guardian: Graeme Wearden, in an article entitled Inflation hits 3.7% in April, quotes an economist with a City finance house, who argues that “ … recent fiscal and monetary policy means it is inevitable that the UK will suffer [...]

Some neglected aspects of the ‘debate’ on the budget deficit …

I am somewhat embarrassed to find myself on my soap-box once more.  But – as I have said many times – the trivial nature of the public debate leaves me in some despair.
The government borrowing requirement – caused by the shortfall between revenue and expenditure – has ‘put money’ into the economy.  That money has [...]

The Elephant in the room

At last this last week we got a vague  glimpse of the ‘elephant  in the room’  whose overpowering influence we have all  felt for the last how many years, though it remained unnamed  - the IMF!  And on the same day as the IMF announced they were proposing taxes on banks –  just like they decided  more [...]

A New Paradigm – 2

In this contribution, I refer in particular to the posting by Dave Milner on 9-2-2010 on the thread ‘Zero Growth Economy – A New Paradigm’.
 
The recent Channel 4 series “Beautiful Minds” has brilliantly demonstrated the value of original thought which spans the boundaries of the recognised academic disciplines, and which indeed does not acknowledge that [...]

“This is the defining year …” says Gordon Brown

“… to avoid a ‘double-dip’ recession”.  Not – notice! – to start to take action on resource depletion, climate change, poverty …
I couldn’t bear to watch the much vaunted televised “leaders’ debate”, but I have read the newspaper reports. There appears to have been no new ideas, just the same old stuff about “getting the [...]

Imagine a land …

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… with a temperate climate; occasional storms and flooding, cold winters, periods of drought – but nothing really devastating.  There is the capability to grow crops which provide food and fuel.
There is a small disaffected minority, but generally people are prepared to contribute to the common good.  There is a diversity of skills and standards [...]

About this category

A zero growth economy? What would it mean for us all?

On Saturday 26th September Friends and others are meeting in Friends House in London to examine the implications of a zero growth economy on both the environment and on people, and to consider the right relationships between protecting the environment and alleviating poverty. On Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November a limited group of Friends will also be gathering to continue this conversation and to take forward these reflections by considering practical action and developing common strategies. For more information about the events see www.quaker.org.uk/conferences-and-events

The power point presentations of three of the speakers, as well as background papers are now available at http://www.quaker.org.uk/zero-growth-economy-conference.