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Brian Czech
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Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution Paperback – May 28, 2013

by Brian Czech (Author), Herman Daly (Foreword)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 58 ratings
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Politicians, economists, and Wall Street would have us believe that limitless economic expansion is the Holy Grail, and that there is no conflict between growing the economy and protecting the environment. Supply Shock debunks these widely accepted myths and demonstrates that we are in fact navigating the end of the era of economic growth, and that the only sustainable alternative is the development of a steady state economy.

Starting with a refreshingly accessible, comprehensive critique of economic growth, the author engages readers in an enormous topic that affects everyone in every country. Publishers Weekly favorably compared Brian Czech to Carl Sagan for popularizing their difficult subjects; Supply Shock shows why.

Czech presents a compelling alternative to growth based on keen scientific, economic, and political insights including:

  • The "trophic theory of money"
  • The overlooked source of technological progress that prevents us from reconciling growth and environmental protection
  • Bold yet practical policies for establishing a steady state economy

    Supply Shock leaves no doubt that the biggest idea of the twentieth century—economic growth—has become the biggest problem of the twenty-first. Required reading for anyone concerned about the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, this landmark work lays a solid foundation for a new economic model, perhaps in time for preventing global catastrophes; certainly in time for lessening the damages.

    Brian Czech is the founder of Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (CASSE), the leading organization promoting the transition from unsustainable growth to a new economic paradigm.


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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    New Society Publishers
  4. Publication date
    May 28, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780865717442
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0865717442
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
58 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They find it informative and important for big-picture thinkers and problem solvers of the 21st century. The author brings the economic past to life and explains why quick fixes are not effective.

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ReadabilityThought provoking
7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They describe it as an amazing summary of what's wrong with the world and the best work on Saving the Earth from the Mania.

"...The book is well researched and is digestible regardless of ones background...." Read more

"...I thought Mr. Czech did a good job engaging the reader in the history of economics and explaining economic theories so that readers could understand..." Read more

"...The latest book by Brian, SUPPLY CHOCK , is a trully amazing summary of what is wrong with the concept of "exponential..." Read more

"...and it is written in layman's language, so it is a superfluous and enjoyable read!" Read more

6 customers mention "Thought provoking"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and helpful for big-picture thinkers and problem solvers. They say it brings the economic past to life and explains economic theories in an engaging way.

"Found this book utterly thought provoking. I could not put it down and will read it again. As an engineer, this book makes deep sense to me...." Read more

"...faults, readers interested in the subject matter will find this book informative, and they will leave it with fresh perspectives...." Read more

"...In an engaging style, he brings our economic past to life and explains why "quick fixes" to society's economic, social, and environmental problems..." Read more

"...collection of policy recommendations make this one of the most useful books on the topic...." Read more

Now published/reprinted by Steady State Press!
5 out of 5 stars
Now published/reprinted by Steady State Press!
The original publisher of this book, New Society Publishers, no longer prints this book. To purchase a new paperback copy, please go to https://www.amazon.com/Supply-Shock-Economic-Crossroads-Solution/dp/1732993327/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= or, better yet, purchase directly from Steady State Press at steadystate.org.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Vera
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. No discussion of sustainability is complete without consideration of the issues presented here
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Found this book utterly thought provoking. I could not put it down and will read it again. As an engineer, this book makes deep sense to me. The disconnect between the economic growth imperative and our finite world simply doesn't compute. Czech softens the blow of facing this abundantly self-evident news with the artful telling of the evolution of our economic thinking and its characters-with-an-agenda that got us here. (Quite a fascinating, albeit disturbing, saga.) As Czech laid out his arguments for why our thinking about economic growth must change, I would think "Sure, but what about..." only to find my challenge anticipated and addressed in the very next pages. Most interesting of these was the idea of win-win green growth. Come on, if we (I) stop buying bottled water and televisions for every room and instead purchased art lessons, apps and solar panels, couldn't the economy continue to grow without harm to the environment? Czech takes this head on, clearly and convincingly, from multiple facets including, "can't technology solve this?" He never says never, but offers strong arguments about the limits of technological solutions. No discussion of sustainability is complete without consideration of the issues presented in this book. Renewable energy, policy, regulation, efficiency--none of these will ensure us an earth worth living on, until we address the inexplicable "necessity" of economic growth at all cost.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • jenergy
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most dangerous book to the economics profession.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Imagine a chef who did not know about heat, a pilot who did not know about elevation, or a doctor that did not know about nutrition. You would immediately wonder how effective these professionals could be at their jobs. This is exactly where most standard economist sit, trying to explain the macro economy without any understanding of ecology and the true source of wealth. Supply Shock by Dr. Brian Czech articulates why our economics are failing and why economists have no answers. Without the ecological component our current economic system cannot even understand the problems let alone develop solutions. We are left with a system that is unstable, often at odds with the laws of physics and increasing in inequality. Supply Shock's development of the tropic theory of money and its dispelling of the notion that economic growth and environmental protection are compatible advances the field of economics more than any Nobel prize winner. The book is well researched and is digestible regardless of ones background. The book also is a challenge to main stream environmental groups to stop nipping around the edges and start directing efforts to address over consumption, the current economic growth at all costs paradigm and population stabilization. If you really want to know what is going on read Supply Shock.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Trevor Neal
    4.0 out of 5 stars A dry but necessary read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2014
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    We see the symptoms around us, and have heard the diagnosis. Now, there are some among us who are searching for a cure. Mr. Czech rises to the occasion in his book, 'Supply Shock,' introducing the concept of a steady state economy; what it is, why we need it, and how it can be achieved. He declares that we have reached the limits of the earth's ability to sustain our current lifestyle, and for the sake of our grandchildren we must begin to curtail our consumption of the earth's resources now. He is compelled by a sense of urgency, declaring that we must change our consumption patterns while we still have a choice. Otherwise, there is a possibility that we will confront economic collapse and a steady state economy will be forced upon us, whether we like it or not.

    Yet, what is a steady state? Mr. Czech defines it as a society in which population growth and consumption is held at sustainable levels; the anti-thesis of our current pro-growth economic theories.

    He begins with a history of current pro-growth economic policies; reviewing the theories of economic scholars from Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Ricardo, and Karl Marx to John Maynard Keynes. Although earlier theorists had postulated that there could be limits to economic growth; it wasn't until the publication of 'The Limits to Growth,' in 1972 that economic theorists became concerned about the potential of human population to outgrow the resources that it depends on. This recognition has yet to be reflected in our public policies; which continue to be pro-growth as of 2014.

    Mr. Czech then brings to light a couple fallacies that some pro-growth theorists profess. The first is the service economy deception. This idea suggests that a service economy does not over-consume its resources since it is based on the provision of services. Mr. Czech illustrates how this fallacy is false; because agriculture and sectors extracting resources still provide the foundation upon which a service sector is dependent. The next fallacy that Mr. Czech exposes is a belief in the power of technology. Again, Mr. Czech illustrates how technology is dependent on the extraction of natural resources.

    In the rest of the book he discusses strategies for achieving a global steady state economy, focusing on three main themes including: 1) reducing the consumption of natural resources to sustainable levels and placing caps on the use of fossil fuels, 2) redistribution of income - promoting social equality, and 3) reducing human population to sustainable levels.

    Obviously this is easier said than done. Therefore Mr. Czech declares that we need to transform our public policies to emphasize sustainable lifestyles, penalizing those who do not conform to sustainable lifestyles. He feels that those engaging in conspicuous consumption habits should be shunned by society until they start living a more sustainable lifestyle. Whole countries should also be penalized by the international community if they do not conform to steady state policies. For instance, countries that are over-populated should be compelled to reduce their populations to sustainable levels.

    As I read, I found the first half of the book more engaging than the last half. I thought Mr. Czech did a good job engaging the reader in the history of economics and explaining economic theories so that readers could understand them. He also made a compelling case for why we need a steady state economy. However, half way through the reading became drier and drier, his strategies for promoting a steady state economy started sounding long winded, and he trailed off onto tangents, making this reader lose sight of his theme. Frankly, I was eager to reach the end.

    Furthermore, a reader could entertain several critiques of Mr. Czech's view. For example, a pessimistic person may feel that we have passed the turning point. They might feel that Mr. Czech is being too optimistic; that we cannot achieve a sustainable economy before a catastrophe hits. Others might become concerned by his ideal of imposing authority on consumption habits. After all, who would police this steady state world economy that Mr. Czech proposes? The masses? Anti-consumption clergy? France? What about freedom of choice?

    I wouldn't encourage anyone to read this book unless they have a strong interest in both ecology and economics. Despite its faults, readers interested in the subject matter will find this book informative, and they will leave it with fresh perspectives. For those seeking alternatives to current economics Mr. Czech's 'Supply Shock' is worth the money and time spent.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Youri Tendland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book! A must read for all in conservation
    Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2015
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    Awesome book! A must read for all in conservation, biology, ecology of course.... But a must read for all economist and politicians as well. We can make a difference read this book and start to act.
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  • GilbertoV
    5.0 out of 5 stars Take home message - Economic Growth is a false god
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a must read to give the support for the renunciation of the outdated Economic Growth Mantra. In the transition towards a more sustainable society Czech makes powerful illustrations of the need for reform. Good coverage of the traditional dirge of orthodox economic theory from Mill, Malthus, Adam Smith, Marx, Marshall, Keynes, Solow etc, which is largely irrelevant but of some hjistorical note. It shows the dismal science for what it is.

    More positively it makes reference to the Club of Romes Limits to Growth, Donella Meadows, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, Herman Daly, H.T. Odum, Charles Hall in the formation of Ecological Economics, which s the emerging paradigm for society and economics.
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  • Billbloggs
    4.0 out of 5 stars "Economic growth must die!" -or we all will!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I only downgraded this to 4 stars because it is pretty heavy going on the background and theory of economics.
    The bottom line message is crystal clear though. The continued quest for ever more economic growth in every country in the world is chasing the impossible dream. Economists seem to have completely ignored the fact that all the resources upon which economic growth is founded - all the land, seas and air and everything we reap from them exist on a finite planet and are declining all the time as we consume them. Hencethe terms "Sustainable growth" and "sustainable development" that are so freely bandied about are compete and utter oxymorons. Such growth and development can only be sustained for increasingly shorter periods of time as all these natural resources decline an/or are damaged by all this growth.
    I came away 100% convinced that the only way forward for humanity and civilistation to survive in the long term is to change our quest towards "steady state economies" ASAP.
    This actually means aiming for zero net population growth and zero net consumption growth everywhere, on a rich to poor country contraction and convergence basis.
    With over 7 billion people on the planet already right now, collectively still consuming at the rate of over 1.5 planets, and with a net global increase of around 75 million more consumers arriving on the planet every year, this is an extremely tall order!
    It calls fora seismic change in human thinking and behaviour.
    "Supply shock" is an apt title indeed.
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  • Jeff Lean
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately, it makes the same macroeconomic assumptions as a ...
    Reviewed in Australia on October 30, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Unfortunately, it makes the same macroeconomic assumptions as a standard macroeconomics text so, while the end goal is admirable, I think that the solution path will not be a viable one until the author embraces more evidence based macroeconomic theory. I think that the author will benefit from reading Steven Keen's publications.
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  • Frank B
    5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for our times
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I've always thought that a finite planet must necessarily put limits on the growth of the human economy - it seemed like common sense but I had no real idea of the issues involved, no grounding in economics and no idea of the alternatives. This book, which builds on the work of Herman Daly provides all that in a language accessible to the layman.
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