Shrinking the Giant HamsterShrinking the Giant HamsterHow we can all be better off withoutHow we can all be better off without
GrowthGrowth
Simon TytherleighSimon TytherleighSustainable BradninchSustainable Bradninch
APOCALYPSE
“It has taken all of human history for the economy to reach the size it is now. On current form it will take just two decades to double.”New Scientist 18th October 2008
97% lent to us by private banks
3% issued by the Bank of England
'The End of Growth''The End of Growth' The crash was foreseen by manyThe crash was foreseen by many The global economy has brokenThe global economy has broken External factors are preventing growthExternal factors are preventing growth High debt levels are unsustainableHigh debt levels are unsustainable Austerity and kick-starting are both failingAusterity and kick-starting are both failing The banking system is brokenThe banking system is broken The stock market rise is a mirageThe stock market rise is a mirage Household debt is very highHousehold debt is very high The housing market remains unaffordable for most, The housing market remains unaffordable for most,
except by taking out huge mortgagesexcept by taking out huge mortgages The Eurozone crisis has not gone away, and the US has The Eurozone crisis has not gone away, and the US has
not solved its problemsnot solved its problems
“I have found a flaw in the model that Iperceived as the critical functioningstructure that defines how the worldworks.” Alan Greenspan 2008
What would you put inWhat would you put in a new system?a new system?
Operate within planetary limitsOperate within planetary limits Fairness for allFairness for all Allowing growth where necessaryAllowing growth where necessary Imposing contraction where Imposing contraction where
necessarynecessary Enabling people to flourishEnabling people to flourish
Redefining ProsperityRedefining Prosperity
The capability to flourish within limits set by nature and The capability to flourish within limits set by nature and populationpopulation
Family and community networksFamily and community networks The ability to achieve personal goalsThe ability to achieve personal goals The potential to participate in societyThe potential to participate in society
Money system reformsMoney system reforms Change the way money is createdChange the way money is created Financial transaction taxFinancial transaction tax New, better, separated banksNew, better, separated banks Local banks, currencies, credit unionsLocal banks, currencies, credit unions Criminalisation of banking offencesCriminalisation of banking offences Debt jubileeDebt jubilee Measure well-being not GDP Measure well-being not GDP
Tax reformsTax reforms Land-value taxLand-value tax Tax 'bads' not 'goods'Tax 'bads' not 'goods' Remove income taxRemove income tax Plunder taxPlunder tax Inheritance taxInheritance tax Stop tax avoidance and tax havensStop tax avoidance and tax havens
Further reformsFurther reforms Wider planning horizonsWider planning horizons Resource restrictionsResource restrictions Consumption restrictionsConsumption restrictions Individual carbon allowanceIndividual carbon allowance Reduction in working hoursReduction in working hours Minimum and maximum wageMinimum and maximum wage Endowment for young peopleEndowment for young people
The Cinderella economyThe Cinderella economy
ACT!An alliance for people, for the planet
NGOS AND ACTIVISTS =NGOS AND ACTIVISTS =HAPHAZARD UNCONNECTED ACTIVITYHAPHAZARD UNCONNECTED ACTIVITY
(JUST LIKE THEIR ISSUES TOO) (JUST LIKE THEIR ISSUES TOO)
What can you do?What can you do?
Be an activistBe an activist Grow the 'core economy'Grow the 'core economy' Spread the wordSpread the word Move your moneyMove your money Challenge the orthodoxyChallenge the orthodoxy Be the change!Be the change!