Growth Fetish [Paperback]

Clive Hamilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

For decades our political leaders and opinion makers have touted higher incomes as the way to a better future. Economic growth means better lives for us all. But after many years of sustained economic growth and increased personal incomes we must confront an awful fact: we aren't any happier. This is the great contradiction of modern politics. In this provocative new book, Clive Hamilton argues that, far from being the answer to our problems, growth fetishism and the marketing society lie at the heart of our social ills. They have corrupted our social priorities and political structures, and have created a profound sense of alienation among young and old. Growth Fetish is the first serious attempt at a politics of change for rich countries dominated by sicknesses of affluence, where the real yearning is not for more money but for authentic identity, and where the future lies in creating a society that promotes the things that really do improve our well-being.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Right on target and badly needed.' --Noam Chomsky

 

'Breaks new ground by asking us to think what a post-growth, environmentally stable society might actually be like. ... Clearly, stylishly written.' --Hugh Stretton

 

'An incisive critique of how the global economic and political systems have turned us into the miserable rich. Whatever you choose to do and wherever you go, you will benefit from keeping as copy of Growth Fetish tucked up your sleeve.' --Sydney Morning Herald

 

'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

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Clive Hamilton is Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Australia’s foremost public-interest think tank. He has held visiting academic positions at the ANU, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and the University of Cambridge. Described in the press as Australia’s most influential economist on the left and Australia’s leading environmental economist, he is the author of six books and his views feature regularly in major news outlets.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741140781
• ISBN-13: 978-1741140781
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,708,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growth Fetish, November 8, 2003

By 

Graham Douglas (Ipswich, Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growth Fetish (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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read - must act, November 18, 2003

By 

Tony A (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Growth Fetish (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.

5.0 out of 5 stars A NEW LIFE, April 25, 2009

By 

Merrill E. Cassell (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Growth Fetish (Paperback)

Clive Hamilton in Growth Fetish is fermenting a philosophy of a new life. The model of democratic capitalism focusing on economic growth has created a society that thrives on gaining an identity from what they purchase, big house, fancy car, etc, rather than from what they produce. The Third Way advocated looks at the failure of the capitalist market model and is suggestive of what goods and services are more public provision. It is good reading for society to look at what has gone wrong with the fetish mentality based solely on "money" and identity derived from "possessions", perhaps the base of the greed mentality. Reading this book will also make people more environmentally friendly. Once you start reading the book, you can't put it down, it takes hold of you.