The Invention of Infinite Growth - by Christopher F Jones Hardcover

About the Book

"Most economists, Christopher F. Jones observes, assume that the Earth's capacity-air, water, land, minerals-is large enough for any human purpose, and we need not worry about limiting growth. How did they come to think this, and what are the effects of continuing to do so? While most ecologists argue that growth must eventually cease due to environmental limits, mainstream neoclassical economists offer a much rosier picture, contending that price signals, technological change, and capital substitution can overcome resource scarcity. Jones analyzes how and why the field chose to develop thus, over the protest of a few lonely voices"--

Book Synopsis

A history of how the pursuit of growth has kept us from creating a more sustainable and just world.

Most economists believe that growth is the surest path to better lives. This has proven to be one of humanity's most powerful and dangerous ideas. It shapes policy across the globe, but it fatally undermines the natural ecosystems necessary to sustain human life. How did we get here? In The Invention of Infinite Growth, environmental historian Christopher F. Jones takes us through two hundred and fifty years of economic thinking to examine the ideal of growth, its powerful influence, and the crippling burdens many decisions made in its name have placed on us all. Jones argues that the pursuit of growth has never reflected its costs, because economists downplay environmental degradation. What's worse, skyrocketing inequality and diminishing improvements in most people's well-being mean growth too often delivers too little for too many. Jones urges economists to engage more broadly with other ways of thinking, as well as with citizens and governments to recognize and slow infinite growth's impact on the real world.

Both accessible and eye-opening, The Invention of Infinite Growth offers hope for the future. Humans have not always believed that economic growth could or should continue, and so it is possible for us to change course. We can still create new ideas about how to promote environmental sustainability, human welfare, and even responsible growth, without killing the planet and ourselves.

Review Quotes

"Jones explores in careful detail how and why American economics invented the powerful but monstrous idea of limitless growth. In learning this history, economists might more readily admit their role in creating this monster -- and take more seriously the need to slay it."--Timothy Mitchell, author of 'Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil'

"Superb scholarship and writing on the most important untold story of our time."--David W. Orr, author of 'Dangerous Years: Climate Change, the Long Emergency, and the Way Forward'

"--J.R. McNeill, author of 'Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World'

About the Author

Christopher F. Jones is associate professor of history at Arizona State University. He is the author of Routes of Power: Energy and Modern America.