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The Gift of Peaceful Genes: Cultural Evolution on a Finite Earth
Are we trying too hard to keep the economy growing, especially now that is taking us is in such dangerous directions, not only damaged environments and depleted resources, but terrorism, too? Johnson argues that it is time to start seeking ways of letting the economy slow down gracefully, and that if this small, beautiful planet is to be a true home for our descendants, we will have to find satisfactions more in the social, emotional, and spiritual realms than the material and competitive. He points to peaceful cooperation as the key to human evolutionary success, and explores how we can begin moving in this direction now.
Contents:
Preface - The End of an Era, not the End of the World
Chapter 1 THE SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION
The Lifeblood of Industrial Civilization
Rewinding the Industrial Revolution
The Rise of a Sustainable Economy
Evolutionary Sources of Hope
A Personal Digression
Chapter 2 THE GIFT OF PEACEFUL GENES
The Original Achievement of Hunters and Gatherers
Progress and Violence
The Second Great Achievement
Traditional Agricultural Societies
Where We Stand
Chapter 3 THE UNSUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
The Nature of Change
The True Faith Today: The Market Faith
The Bane of Endless Growth
Dangerous Dogmas of the Market Faith
Something We Can Do Now: Live on Less
Chapter 4 THE POWER OF SELF-INTEREST
The Politics and Perils of Self-Interest
First Steps Toward Sustainability
Another Thing We Can Do Now: Saving for Sustainability
A personal Digression on Saving
Chapter 5 ENERGY CONSTRAINTS AND OPENINGS
The Premium Fuels: Oil and Natural Gas
Lower Grade Fossil Fuels and Global Warming
Nuclear Energy
The Renewable Alternatives
The Breakthrough So Far: Conservation
Roots of the Sustainable Economy
Chapter 6 THE AGE-OLD COOPERATIVE INSTITUTIONS: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
The Warmth Grows Cool
Helping Children Become Healthy
Rebuilding Personal Relationships
The Key for Now: Marriage
Chapter 7 POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The Energy Transition
National Energy Self-sufficiency
A Digression on Market Forces
Conservation Taxes on Energy
Work in the Sustainable Economy
Potentials and Problems of the Sustainable Revolution
Conclusion - The Parable of the Boats
Contents:
Preface - The End of an Era, not the End of the World
Chapter 1 THE SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION
The Lifeblood of Industrial Civilization
Rewinding the Industrial Revolution
The Rise of a Sustainable Economy
Evolutionary Sources of Hope
A Personal Digression
Chapter 2 THE GIFT OF PEACEFUL GENES
The Original Achievement of Hunters and Gatherers
Progress and Violence
The Second Great Achievement
Traditional Agricultural Societies
Where We Stand
Chapter 3 THE UNSUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
The Nature of Change
The True Faith Today: The Market Faith
The Bane of Endless Growth
Dangerous Dogmas of the Market Faith
Something We Can Do Now: Live on Less
Chapter 4 THE POWER OF SELF-INTEREST
The Politics and Perils of Self-Interest
First Steps Toward Sustainability
Another Thing We Can Do Now: Saving for Sustainability
A personal Digression on Saving
Chapter 5 ENERGY CONSTRAINTS AND OPENINGS
The Premium Fuels: Oil and Natural Gas
Lower Grade Fossil Fuels and Global Warming
Nuclear Energy
The Renewable Alternatives
The Breakthrough So Far: Conservation
Roots of the Sustainable Economy
Chapter 6 THE AGE-OLD COOPERATIVE INSTITUTIONS: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
The Warmth Grows Cool
Helping Children Become Healthy
Rebuilding Personal Relationships
The Key for Now: Marriage
Chapter 7 POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The Energy Transition
National Energy Self-sufficiency
A Digression on Market Forces
Conservation Taxes on Energy
Work in the Sustainable Economy
Potentials and Problems of the Sustainable Revolution
Conclusion - The Parable of the Boats
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2002
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