Pulling the Pieces Together: Deep Ecology, Humane Economy and Human Purposefulness
Ever since I read a few lines about FDR’s influential appointee to the New York State Power Authority, Leland Olds, and then later, a few words about E.F Shumacher, author of Small is Beautiful, I’ve been fascinated by the concept of liberal economics — not something I’ve heard much about.
Which is why I jumped on Deep Economy the moment I found it in my local library’s collection.
Admittedly, Deep Economy is not a lesson in economics — at least, not in the fashion of tedia which you might apply to your tax return. It is, however, a fascinating overview of the ways in which the US economy and, more specifically, our beliefs about that economy and the imperative of economic growth, intersect with the health of the planet, the viability of our communities and the elusive nature of human happiness.
In that sense, Deep Economy picks up the threads and interweaves the philosophies of Deep Ecology, the Local Foods movement and what is shaping up to be the Local Community movement into one decisive and pondersome whole.
Paired with another book I’m currently reading, Your Money or Your Life, it’s almost enough to usher in the new Age of Sincerity.
