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The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a grown-up economy
What do we want from economic growth? What sort of a society are we aiming for? In everyday economics, there is no such thing as enough, or too much, growth. Yet in the world’s most developed countries, growth has already brought unrivalled we have ‘arrived’. More than that, through debt, inequality, climate change and fractured politics, the fruits of growth may rot before everyone has a chance to enjoy them. It’s high time to ask where progress is taking us, and are we nearly there yet? In fact, Trebeck and Williams claim in this ground-breaking book, the challenge is now to make ourselves at home with this wealth, to ensure, in the interests of equality, that everyone is included. They explore the possibility of ‘Arrival’, urging us to move from enlarging the economy to improving it, and the benefits this would bring for all.
- GenresEconomicsNonfiction
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
10 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Trebeck
3 books5 followersKatherine Trebeck is Knowledge and Policy Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and member of the CUSP Advisory Board. In her longstanding involvement with Oxfam, she developed Oxfam’s Humankind Index. Her book The Economics of Arrival (2018) (co-authored with Jeremy Williams) explores a new model for development that shifts attention from growth to quality and distribution of economic activity as we seek to ‘make ourselves at home’ in a wealthy world.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 3, 2019
Firstly, I feel I need to point out there are two authors to this book, not one. It is the unnamed author on Goodreads - Jeremy Williams - whose writings I've followed for many years, who is the reason I bought a copy for myself. His writings on environment, technology, architecture and a host of other areas concerned with stepping us 'back from the brink' have been inspiring reading for me for longer than I care to remember.
I'll say from the start, this book is phenomenal. In my opinion, it should be on the shelf (having been read from cover to cover) of every intelligent person who has even the remotest concern about the environment, economics and the future health of nations and, indeed, all life on Earth. I can't stress this fact enough, quite honestly. Yes, I know, that sounds rather an overblown statement to make, but in this case I think it warranted.
The premise of the book is explained in the foreword by Kate Raworth. She starts with R. R. Rostow's 1960 theory of economic growth which uses allusions to journeying which could be imagined as being on a plane journey ( pre-flight, take-off etc.) but seems to stop in its analysis with society mass-consuming as the final end (and goal) with the journey in mid-flight as it were. Where Trebeck and Williams start is where this theory ends. If the history of economics is like a flight, they say, then sooner or later you have to land and 'arrive' at your destination if you follow the metaphor through; hence, the title of the book.
The authors posit the theory that, globally, we have arrived at our destination and are now over-using resources which cannot be sustained at current rates. We have to change from a growth economics to one of maintaining what we have and bringing the consumption of wealth for the sake of it to an end.
Using a range or statistics, quotes, theories and logical thinking about economics, social well-being, psychology, politics, company policies and more, Trebeck and Williams mount a convincing argument that we need to change the very essence of how society perceives success - and time is running out to do so. Every single page oozes with expert understanding and urgent call to action. They don't just point out with evidence what is going wrong, they also reveal what is going right - companies, governments and movements which are heading into the right direction of living with 'enough' in a sustainable fashion, benefitting humans and nature alike. Changing the whole of human society, they argue, is achievable and actually desirable.
The first half of the book is damningly critical of current economic and political reasoning. GDP as a measure of success, they argue, is the worst kind of measure you can use. The myth that growth is essential and lack of growth spells doom for a country is, they say, utter rubbish. They provide ample examples of why this is so wrong and what better measures to use. The second half of the book, having effectively told us 'we're all doomed' goes into detail about ways forward - not just pie-in-the-sky theory but actual examples of how this is working right now in a myriad micro and not-so-micro ways. Both authors write so well that you actually feel uplifted by their words rather than virtually suicidal!
Had this book published ten years ago, we could have safely dismissed it as cleverly written academic tosh from a couple of environmental extremists. Certainly, at times, the authors allow themselves to step out of the shadows and speak personally and passionately like the activists they are, before stepping back into academic and impersonal rigour. But the timing of their book couldn't be more perfect. With scientists globally all but screaming that the planet is in serious trouble and the headline-hitting actions of Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg among others, the world is talking about environmental issues like never before and changes from the bottom up (such as recycling and eating less meat) are beginning to happen. Less speedily, but happening nonetheless, are changes from above, with governments finally beginning to make policies which matter. Indeed, it is the conservative naysayers like Trump who now sound like the extremists. Times are changing - but will they change fast enough?
Trebeck and Williams offer a very readable introduction to saving the planet without sounding too much like a party manifesto. It's a book which should, as I said, be read cover to cover, But then it is also one you can literally open at any page and read something which will challenge you, appal you, amaze you, or inspire you to action. That fact makes this book worth its weight in gold - or perhaps better, in recyclable material.
I'll say from the start, this book is phenomenal. In my opinion, it should be on the shelf (having been read from cover to cover) of every intelligent person who has even the remotest concern about the environment, economics and the future health of nations and, indeed, all life on Earth. I can't stress this fact enough, quite honestly. Yes, I know, that sounds rather an overblown statement to make, but in this case I think it warranted.
The premise of the book is explained in the foreword by Kate Raworth. She starts with R. R. Rostow's 1960 theory of economic growth which uses allusions to journeying which could be imagined as being on a plane journey ( pre-flight, take-off etc.) but seems to stop in its analysis with society mass-consuming as the final end (and goal) with the journey in mid-flight as it were. Where Trebeck and Williams start is where this theory ends. If the history of economics is like a flight, they say, then sooner or later you have to land and 'arrive' at your destination if you follow the metaphor through; hence, the title of the book.
The authors posit the theory that, globally, we have arrived at our destination and are now over-using resources which cannot be sustained at current rates. We have to change from a growth economics to one of maintaining what we have and bringing the consumption of wealth for the sake of it to an end.
Using a range or statistics, quotes, theories and logical thinking about economics, social well-being, psychology, politics, company policies and more, Trebeck and Williams mount a convincing argument that we need to change the very essence of how society perceives success - and time is running out to do so. Every single page oozes with expert understanding and urgent call to action. They don't just point out with evidence what is going wrong, they also reveal what is going right - companies, governments and movements which are heading into the right direction of living with 'enough' in a sustainable fashion, benefitting humans and nature alike. Changing the whole of human society, they argue, is achievable and actually desirable.
The first half of the book is damningly critical of current economic and political reasoning. GDP as a measure of success, they argue, is the worst kind of measure you can use. The myth that growth is essential and lack of growth spells doom for a country is, they say, utter rubbish. They provide ample examples of why this is so wrong and what better measures to use. The second half of the book, having effectively told us 'we're all doomed' goes into detail about ways forward - not just pie-in-the-sky theory but actual examples of how this is working right now in a myriad micro and not-so-micro ways. Both authors write so well that you actually feel uplifted by their words rather than virtually suicidal!
Had this book published ten years ago, we could have safely dismissed it as cleverly written academic tosh from a couple of environmental extremists. Certainly, at times, the authors allow themselves to step out of the shadows and speak personally and passionately like the activists they are, before stepping back into academic and impersonal rigour. But the timing of their book couldn't be more perfect. With scientists globally all but screaming that the planet is in serious trouble and the headline-hitting actions of Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg among others, the world is talking about environmental issues like never before and changes from the bottom up (such as recycling and eating less meat) are beginning to happen. Less speedily, but happening nonetheless, are changes from above, with governments finally beginning to make policies which matter. Indeed, it is the conservative naysayers like Trump who now sound like the extremists. Times are changing - but will they change fast enough?
Trebeck and Williams offer a very readable introduction to saving the planet without sounding too much like a party manifesto. It's a book which should, as I said, be read cover to cover, But then it is also one you can literally open at any page and read something which will challenge you, appal you, amaze you, or inspire you to action. That fact makes this book worth its weight in gold - or perhaps better, in recyclable material.
January 24, 2019
A vital book for anyone who believes that a better economic system is possible and wants to take immediate steps towards it. It made me feel hopeful, and the central concept of arrival and making ourselves at home really resonated with me.
January 17, 2021
Both inspiring and practical, this book shows how an economy geared towards people and planet (not profit) is not only a good idea, but that it's actually very sensible and achievable. A must-read from a human rights, ecological, and even business point of view.
August 2, 2019
“The fruits of growth are beginning to rot.” That’s the premise of this admirable and stimulating book, and, looking around us, who can doubt it? While species vanish and plastic replaces fish in the oceans, “the economy” – generally taken to be synonymous with Gross Domestic Product – grows and grows. Clearly, we are measuring the wrong things, and drawing the wrong conclusions. We believe we are getting wealthier while in fact we are getting poorer.
Trebeck and Williams argue that we have “arrived” – we now have an economy that provides enough wealth for everyone to live a healthy and satisfying life. Growth beyond that level (which was reached, globally, in 1978) is “uneconomic growth” – economic activity that generally creates problems rather than solving them.
Is there life beyond growth, and wealth beyond money? This is where The Economics of Arrival really shines, exploring the growing worldwide interest in a different economy, variously described as an economy of happiness, an economy of freedom, an economy of genuine wealth, even an economy of love. And that economy is emerging now.
Trebeck and Williams list off new forms of socially-oriented business – co-operatives, foundations, charities, non-profit corporations, and so on. They note that assets which rightly belong to the whole community, like air, water and land, can be – and in some places already are – vested in trusts owned by the whole community and managed for the common good, including future generations. They discuss the rise of businesses that allow us to share, rent or lease everything from automobiles (through car-sharing) and accommodation (AirBNB) to films and music (Netflix and iTunes). They also stress the relationship between equity, democracy and environment, and they note the emergence of participatory budgetting and land-use regulation (which can be done right now, anywhere) as models of long-term planning based in community-wide values and aspirations.
The Economics of Arrival describes both the frightening political and economic errors of the present and also an enormous range of initiatives through which human ingenuity is attempting to resolve them. With a substantial bibliography and extensive notes for further study, this is a rich and remarkable book.
Trebeck and Williams argue that we have “arrived” – we now have an economy that provides enough wealth for everyone to live a healthy and satisfying life. Growth beyond that level (which was reached, globally, in 1978) is “uneconomic growth” – economic activity that generally creates problems rather than solving them.
Is there life beyond growth, and wealth beyond money? This is where The Economics of Arrival really shines, exploring the growing worldwide interest in a different economy, variously described as an economy of happiness, an economy of freedom, an economy of genuine wealth, even an economy of love. And that economy is emerging now.
Trebeck and Williams list off new forms of socially-oriented business – co-operatives, foundations, charities, non-profit corporations, and so on. They note that assets which rightly belong to the whole community, like air, water and land, can be – and in some places already are – vested in trusts owned by the whole community and managed for the common good, including future generations. They discuss the rise of businesses that allow us to share, rent or lease everything from automobiles (through car-sharing) and accommodation (AirBNB) to films and music (Netflix and iTunes). They also stress the relationship between equity, democracy and environment, and they note the emergence of participatory budgetting and land-use regulation (which can be done right now, anywhere) as models of long-term planning based in community-wide values and aspirations.
The Economics of Arrival describes both the frightening political and economic errors of the present and also an enormous range of initiatives through which human ingenuity is attempting to resolve them. With a substantial bibliography and extensive notes for further study, this is a rich and remarkable book.
January 8, 2020
Brilliantly insightful work into how economics isn't working (for everyone), and how we can do it differently. I find degrowth and wellbeing economics to be such interesting and important topics - and these authors have found a way of framing and phrasing the transition in a positive and insightful way.
The Economics of Arrival can be enjoyed by anyone, and, more importantly should be. Economics isn't working, our planet, and population are suffering - change needs to come soon, and the more people that understand that, and how it could be implemented, the better.
Highly recommended.
The Economics of Arrival can be enjoyed by anyone, and, more importantly should be. Economics isn't working, our planet, and population are suffering - change needs to come soon, and the more people that understand that, and how it could be implemented, the better.
Highly recommended.
November 18, 2019
Katherine Trebeck is a senior researcher for Oxfam and Jeremy Williams a writer specialising in environmental and social issues. In this thought-provoking but in places flawed book, packed with figures and research, they use the notion of ever-rising GDP being a damaging fallacy as a starting point to consider what an ‘Arrived’ economy would look like and how it can be transformed to focus more on environmental and equality.
February 23, 2019
Great read. Very timely and in a way therapeutic book. Especially, if the news and the nature of political and economic debates have been making you increasingly depressed in the last years. The authors propose a very bold shift in the terms of the debate about the future of economic development both in developed and developing economies.
April 14, 2020
Excellent book. There are lot of statistics but the book is absolutely enjoyable and introduced many opportunities and approaches to economics. I completely agree with many ideas which were in the book. There is really important to bore such books like this one nowadays. Hopefully many people will read this book.
November 13, 2020
Makes no pretence of having all the answers but gently probes the possible solutions, offering much to reflect on. Covers quite some ground and encourages the reader to explore deeper beyond its pages.
July 22, 2021
Metaphors within the introduction were notable (flying/destination/travel) interwoven with economic policy. Discussions with the text on resistance and coallition building helpful (more case studies would be even more helpful).
January 25, 2019
An acccessible, compelling, hopeful account of how the economy can be designed differently.
Packed with examples, metaphors, insights and humour.
Highly recommended!
Packed with examples, metaphors, insights and humour.
Highly recommended!
August 11, 2019
Interesting ideas, but with far too little substance. I felt like the book could have been at least 50% shorter.
December 13, 2020
A book that has moved my attention and action "upstream"
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews