Bill McKibben

Holt Paperbacks, March 4, 2008

Do increases in economic growth necessarily lead to prosperity? Is "more" synonymous with "better"? Is the pursuit of maximum economic production and the goal of increasing individual wealth resulting in individual happiness? It is often easy for those who have a lot of goods and relative economic prosperity to make arguments about and ponder whether "more" is "better." Clearly, for many people in many regions of the world, "more and better still share a nest." Economic growth that increases goods and services can raise the standard and quality of life for many and directly increases individual happiness. However, should we profoundly re-examine current ideas and realities of economic growth and individualism and ask if it is "durable" (i.e., sustainable)?

Applying this locally, consider the following: The U.S currently has the second-highest income per capita in the world, yet ranks 13th in "quality of life." With respect to the health of citizens, the U.S. ranks 27th.

Bill McKibben's newest book "Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future" is a wonderfully written, easy to read and profound examination of economic growth around the world. The book's 232 pages (plus 15 pages of footnotes) address whether the magic of economic growth and maximum economic production has run out and the importance of local communities. Across five chapters, McKibben examines through personal anecdotes and journalistic reporting three major challenges to the idea that "more is better." First, growth is no longer making most people wealthier -- there is more inequality than prosperity and more insecurity than progress today than there was in the past; second, growth is bumping up against physical limits -- we may not have the natural resources and energy to keep growing in a safe manner; third, growth is no longer making us happy.

This book is not economic growth bashing, and the book is very hopeful. McKibben believes that markets work. McKibben clearly articulates the myriad ways growth is seen as a positive. For example, when China's standard of living approaches our own, we can start selling them goods that we make. However, "if the Chinese owned cars in the same number as Americans, the world would have more than twice as many vehicles as it does now"; and, if China consumed as much seafood per capita as Japan, it would require 100 million tons, which exceeds the total of the world catch.

McKibben offers up data and personal stories -- from China to Vermont, he examines economic growth and communities. The book has material for educators in all fields. It is a great book for reading groups and anyone who thinks about global and local economies, communities and the future (that really narrows it down!). The term "deep economy" may turn people off (e.g., those who are familiar with, but dislike, the concept of "deep ecology"). But, for example, the chapter "The Year of Eating Locally," which his family does one winter in Vermont and which ends with McKibben eating a banana, has lessons for Ozarkers, and is fun to read.

Alexander Wait is a professor of biology at Missouri State University.