STWR - Share The World's Resources

The use of economic growth theory as a magic elixir towards 'development' fails to meet social goals such as the eradication of poverty and hunger. Two articles below argue that economic alternatives are both necessary, and possible.

Transitioning to a sustainable and just economic system is the ultimate challenge of the 21st century. As the work of E.F Schumacher argues, history will no doubt judge our generation by how well we acknowledge, embrace and take up this challenge, says John Fullerton.

The financial crisis puts to rest the myths that our economic institutions are sound and that markets work best when deregulated - providing an ideal opportunity to replace the present system with a new economy dedicated to serving life, writes David Korten. 

The excesses of banks, big business and the super-rich have shattered our economic system. In the following extract from their new book, Larry Elliott and Dan Atkinson put forward their principles for a fairer and more cohesive society.

As the nation once again confronts an economic crisis, some are turning to look back at Roosevelt's New Deal in the hope of finding a solution to our country's current problems.

In late summer 2007, reports of ice melting were coming at a frenetic pace. Experts were ‘stunned’ when an area of Arctic sea ice almost twice the size of Britain disappeared in a single week,” writes Lester R. Brown in his new book, Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.

The eradication of extreme poverty in the world, alongside the proliferation of nuclear weapons, climate change due to pollution, and various forms of violence (war, genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism), is one of the four or five most dangerous challenges facing humanity today.