2013 46 min 1-932869-78-6 This film has subtitles English

The New Economics 101

True Wealth in the New Economy
A Lecture with Juliet Schor

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Synopsis

Economist and bestselling author Juliet Schor lays out a positive vision for rethinking our relationship to consumer goods in this accessible and timely analysis of the devastating ecological, social, and personal costs of mass consumerism. Ranging from cutting-edge developments in economic theory, social analysis, and ecological design to real-world examples of these ideas being put into practice around the world, Schor makes a compelling case that preserving dwindling natural resources and enhancing economic security should have less to do with managing scarcity and learning to sacrifice than with envisioning new forms of plentitude. The result is a bold and practical vision for replacing the old dead-end, debt-financed, work-and-spend cycle with a new paradigm of sustainability fueled by the abundant and infinitely renewable resources of time, creativity, and community.

Economic And Climate Collapse | A Different Vision for the Future | Basic Principles of Plenitude | The Limits to Growth | Demise of the BAU Economy | Plenitude Principle 1: Reducing Work Hours | Plenitude Principle 2: High-Tech Self-Providing | Plenitude Principle 3: True Materialism | Plenitude Principle 4: Economic Interdependence | A New Movement

Release Date:2013
Duration:46 min
ISBN:1-932869-78-6
Subtitles:English

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Praise

"Juliet Schor's writings have had a huge influence on me for years. The New Economics 101 now makes Schor's work even more accessible. For those who still think we have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment, watch this video! Schor lays out an inspiring, realistic, common sense approach to having both - and having way more fun in the process. An excellent watch!"
Annie Leonard
Author and host of The Story of Stuff
"The innovative work in economics today is actually being done in the field of sociology. Boston College sociology professor Juliet B. Schor's New Economics 101 is a case in point. Against the tide of mainstream thinking that juxtaposes growth vs. austerity in a zero-sum game, Schor charts out a bold four-point course to a more sustainable and ultimately satisfying future. The New Economics 101 presents a rational, timely case for how we might realize not just the true wealth of our nation but of our entire planet."
Vince Carducci
Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the College for Creative Studies
"When it comes to confronting issues like climate change and inequality, economists often seem to turn a blind eye. Not Juliet Schor. Her ideas are timely, innovative, compassionate, and unlikely to be popular among economists. And that's exactly why they deserve serious consideration. The New Economics 101 presents Schor's smart and provocative ideas in an engaging and accessible presentation. Highly recommended for all who want to be inspired!"
Dr. Helen Scharber
Assistant Professor of Economics at Hampshire College
"Professor Schor articulates a new paradigm that challenges the mantra of indiscriminate growth and more stuff. At its core is the reduction of work time, with a twist. In addition to redistributing jobs, a common rationale historically, work-time reduction is a means to address climate change and free time for potentially satisfying non-market and small-production, low-impact alternatives. Consume less, produce less, use fewer resources, work less. Under 'business as usual,' this is a formula for economic collapse. According to Schor's 'plenitude,' this is the way to avoid environmental collapse and to 'true wealth.' Conventional wisdom sees a weak recovery after the Great Recession. In these perplexing times, however, Professor Schor sees opportunity to create a new economy based on different assumptions. Her analysis, which has built up over her many publications and is condensed in this lecture, is compelling -- and hopeful, because, as shown in this video, small-scale examples of the new economy already exist."
Dr. Cynthia Negrey
Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Louisville