What it is
Tim Jackson, professor of sustainable development at the University of Surrey, published the first edition in 2009 based on his work for the UK Sustainable Development Commission. The revised 2017 edition provides a rigorous macroeconomic framework for how economies can deliver prosperity, defined as the ability to flourish, within ecological limits without requiring GDP growth.
Why we picked this
This is the most academically rigorous post-growth economics book available. Jackson does not just critique growth; he builds a credible alternative macroeconomic model. It is required reading in sustainability programs at universities worldwide and has influenced policy discussions at the EU level.
Key takeaways
- Jackson distinguishes between 'prosperity' (the ability to flourish as human beings) and 'affluence' (material consumption), showing they have diverged in wealthy nations since the 1970s.
- The book proposes an investment-led transition to a service-based economy with shorter working hours, stronger public goods, and ecological enterprise.
- Carbon intensity of GDP has declined historically, but not fast enough to offset growth: absolute emissions continue to rise in most economies despite efficiency gains.