Reclaiming Economics for Future Generations - Paperback

by Lucy Ambler (Author), Joe Earle (Author), Nicola Scott (Author)

Today's economies fail to recognise that we are in a rapidly worsening crisis, reproducing and often worsening vast and harmful inequalities between people and countries. The current models are unsustainable, and at a time when global temperatures are rising and divides are deepening, humanity is left in a rapidly worsening situation of its own making, the destruction of the living world, which will make large parts of the earth uninhabitable.

Without access to the knowledge, skills or tools to build a better future, local, national and global economies will continue to fail to address the interlinked challenges of systemic racism, inequalities faced by women, the Covid-19 pandemic and the nature and climate emergency.

Across the world, economics students are coming together under the banner of the student movement, Rethinking Economics, to create a better economics - one which can help to create a world where all our children can flourish regardless of their gender, background or birthplace.

Drawing on over sixty interviews with students and professionals from identities and backgrounds marginalised in economics and a wide range of global and historical research, this book illustrates the ways in which the discipline is currently not fit for purpose and sets out a vision for how it can be diversified, decolonised and democratised.

The struggle to reclaim economics could not be more crucial - our futures depend on it. This book explains how it can be done.
This book is relevant to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, Decent work and economic growth

Front Jacket

Economics no longer works for us. It works against us. Fighting back against the constraints and injustices inherent in orthodox economic thought and teaching are a growing number of brave and determined student activists. Economics needs you is the voice of these activists and argues that to build sustainable economies, which serve people and the planet, we need a diverse and decolonised curriculum. This book explores these ideas through a series of searching questions: How does the global economy currently fail people and the planet? Why has mainstream economics knowledge inadequately addressed the pressing issues of today such as systemic racism and the climate crisis? What does an economist look like and whom do they teach? How does the professional culture within economics maintain problems within the discipline and its outputs? Culminating in a call to action that provides readers with the necessary steps they can take to further embed diversifying, decolonising and democratising economics in education, society and policymaking. If you like Doughnut Economics and The Econocracy, this is the book for you....

Back Jacket

'This book is a beacon for everyone who wants to make the world a better place.'
Ha-Joon Chang, author of 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

'Essential reading for those of us who believe in the potential for economics to be a force for good in the world.'
Grieve Chelwa, The New School

'A must-read for everyone who craves a better future.'
Carolina Alves, University of Cambridge

Economics has failed to recognise that our modern economies are responsible for reproducing, and often worsening, vast and harmful inequalities.

As global temperatures rise and social divides deepen, we are without access to the knowledge, skills or tools to build better futures.

This book argues that we need to diversify, decolonise and democratise economics in order to face humanity's most pressing challenges.

Our futures depend on the struggle to reclaim economics. This book explains how it can be done.

Author Biography

Lucy Ambler, Researcher at Rethinking Economics and Intersectionality Advocate, is a passionate feminist and a campaigner for menstrual health rights following her previous research projects in East Africa. She lives in Manchester with her boyfriend and her ever-growing book collection.

Joe Earle is Chief Executive of Economy, a charity which supports people, particularly those currently furthest from power, to shape the economy to achieve what matters to them. He is a founding member of Rethinking Economics and a member of the Foundational Economy Collective.

Nicola Scott, Research Manager at Rethinking Economics, investigated the political economy of GM crops during her PhD research in Mexico/US, then published articles for Ethical Consumer about corporate social responsibility. She has taught social science students at university to think critically about what they study. Nicola has been an environmental activist for over fifteen years.