- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Pluto Press (20 Feb 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0745322514
- ISBN-13: 978-0745322513
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,230,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Review
Right on target and badly needed. (Noam Chomsky )
This is a hugely stimulating and thoughtful contribution to the increasingly important debate about economic growth. Clive Hamilton strips bare the intellectual inadequacies of the so-called 'Third Way', and focuses on the one question politicians are too afraid to answer: if people aren't getting any happier as they go on getting richer, why do we continue to trash the planet and turn people into consumptive zombies in pursuit of economic growth? There is a conspiracy of silence about all this which simply has to be broken. (Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the British government's Sustainable Development Commission )
Where Hamilton takes the argument forward is with his view that the overwhelming majority of people in the rich countries have passed the point where additional material wealth gives them any benefit at all. .... His book, Growth Fetish, takes this to its logical conclusion, arguing that advanced economies, obsessed with increasing gross domestic product, should chill out. .... We'll carry on consuming -- however miserable it makes us. (David Smith, Sunday Times )
Anyone tired of current cant about growth and resistant to the blandishments of consumerism will welcome this radical analysis of conventional economics. Paradigm shift is usually painful, but this one is a positive pleasure. (Sir Crispin Tickell, Chancellor of the University of Kent at Canterbury )
This is a powerful statement about the failure of the rat-race society and the need for a new philosophy of sociable living. (Professor Richard Layard, London School of Economics )
The most lucid, penetrating, comprehensive and clearly articulated analysis of our present human predicament and of the pathologies that underlie it that I've seen so far. (John Bunzl, author of The Simultaneous Policy )
Breaks new ground by asking us to think what a post-growth, environmentally stable society might actually be like. ... Clearly, stylishly written. Its language and argument are accessible. (Hugh Stretton, author of Economics: An Introduction )
This is a hugely stimulating and thoughtful contribution to the increasingly important debate about economic growth. Clive Hamilton strips bare the intellectual inadequacies of the so-called 'Third Way', and focuses on the one question politicians are too afraid to answer: if people aren't getting any happier as they go on getting richer, why do we continue to trash the planet and turn people into consumptive zombies in pursuit of economic growth? There is a conspiracy of silence about all this which simply has to be broken. (Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the British government's Sustainable Development Commission )
Where Hamilton takes the argument forward is with his view that the overwhelming majority of people in the rich countries have passed the point where additional material wealth gives them any benefit at all. .... His book, Growth Fetish, takes this to its logical conclusion, arguing that advanced economies, obsessed with increasing gross domestic product, should chill out. .... We'll carry on consuming -- however miserable it makes us. (David Smith, Sunday Times )
Anyone tired of current cant about growth and resistant to the blandishments of consumerism will welcome this radical analysis of conventional economics. Paradigm shift is usually painful, but this one is a positive pleasure. (Sir Crispin Tickell, Chancellor of the University of Kent at Canterbury )
This is a powerful statement about the failure of the rat-race society and the need for a new philosophy of sociable living. (Professor Richard Layard, London School of Economics )
The most lucid, penetrating, comprehensive and clearly articulated analysis of our present human predicament and of the pathologies that underlie it that I've seen so far. (John Bunzl, author of The Simultaneous Policy )
Breaks new ground by asking us to think what a post-growth, environmentally stable society might actually be like. ... Clearly, stylishly written. Its language and argument are accessible. (Hugh Stretton, author of Economics: An Introduction )
Hugh Stretton
Breaks new ground by asking us to think what a post-growth, environmentally stable society might actually be like.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although a book by an Australian economist may appear, at first, a somewhat dull prospect, Clive Hamilton's book is enthralling and inspiring from the word go.
Starting from the point that the aim of all governments of both left and right is that of economic growth, he argues that, despite steady economic growth, in the West over a number of years, we are none the happier for it. He argues that we should fight back against our consumerist tendencies, noting that many marketing campaigns are created even before the product exists and the product is then created to sell a lifestyle rather than producing something of benefit to anyone except those who profit financially from it. In order to take part in this frenzy of consumerism, we inevitably spend more of our time working longer and harder, leaving little free time to actually enjoy our lives and relationships with others around us. He notes that, after the 9/11 attacks, George W Bush urged the US public not to give in to terrorism by 'going out and shopping'! He argues that much of the crime and violence in society is due to our obsession for consumption noting that our current lifestyle is destroying the very planet we live on. He notes that if the rest of the world were to consume at the same rate as the USA, we would need 10 planet Earths to provide sufficient resources.
This book truly inspired me to re-assess my own lifestyle and has changed my life without a doubt. As Clive Hamilton argues, this is one revolution we can all take part in without the use of violence, simply by shopping and consuming less, whilst actually getting more from our lives.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a suprising and excellent book. It provides a clever, thorough and enjoyable critique of globalization and the world we live in. Our world is one created by neoliberal fantasies which renders us helpless and unhappy. Basic reading for all critics of modern capitalism.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Growth Fetish
9 Nov 2003
Format:Paperback
Trained in economics and politics, Dr Clive Hamilton is Executive Director of The Australia Institute, an independent Australian public interest think tank. For the first time his book clearly analyses the current world-wide fetish for mistakenly equating economic growth with improvement in wellbeing and outlines his illuminating view of the "post-growth society". For instance, he states:- "The transition to a post-growth society will be just as far-reaching as the transition from feudalism to industrial capitalism or from industrial capitalism to consumer capitalism. It will fundamentally transform power relationships, social institutions, our relationships with others, our ethical rules, our attitudes to the natural environment and, ultimately, our consciousness."
This book demonstrates integrative thinking of a high order and is a welcome change from the plethora of writing that is full of critical thinking about world affairs but does little to suggest a way forward for the growing number of people who feel there is more to life than increased consumption.
I believe it is a "must read" for thinkers in all fields everywhere.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Must read - must act
18 Nov 2003
Format:Paperback
Extraordinarily insightful - significant and urgent. As a 'civilised' society we must dampen the motivation of self interest and greed at the expense of all else (relationships, environment and happiness). This book describes in detail the roots of our unhappiness 'the prisoners of plenty' and seeks to describe a way forward. It will capture your imagination and stir you to reassess your definition of success.
Easily the most signifcant book I have read and cannot recommend it highly enough.
Enjoy and hopefully our 'advanced' human race can evolve to a society that promotes and supports the full realisation of human potential for all.
Interesting counterpoint perspective
10 April 2012
Format:Paperback
Powerful arguments concerning the links (or lack thereof) between happiness, economic growth, advertising and marketing. One of the most powerful arguments highlighting the shortfalls of consumer capitalism. The more difficult challenge is to present a realistic alternative under the constraints of human nature.
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