The Resilience Imperative
Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy
By: Michael Lewis, Pat Conaty
Published: June 12 2012
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
ISBN-10: 0865717079
ISBN-13: 978-0865717077
Publisher: New Society Publishers
"In a century of volatility whipped up by climate change,peak oil, and a global financial system gone awry, it is little wonder that the way forward appears murky. What seems more certain is that there is a connection between impoverishment of the many, unwarranted enrichment of the few, and the planet groaning under the weight of it all", write Executive Director of the Canadian Center for Community Renewal, Michael Lewis; and Fellow of new economics foundation and a research associate of Community Finance Solutions at the University of Salford, Pat Conaty, in their revolutionary and thought provoking book The Resilience Imperative: Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy. The authors describe how the combined forces of peak oil and climate change are forcing humanity to reinvent economies on a regional and local scale; and make the case for social, ecological, and economic (SEE) change as the foundation to replace the existing paradigm of endless growth with a more decentralized, cooperative, steady-state economy.
Mike Lewis (photo left) and Pat Conaty recognize that the status quo. propped up by no longer tenable myths, is no longer viable or able to continue its quest for limitless growth. In its place, the authors point out that a low carbon, steady-state economy is the only viable and sustainable alternative. Along with this concept of prosperity without growth, the authors propose a more democratic form of governance that reinvents the very concept and meaning of democracy. With governments, private industry, and the general public paralyzed in the face of thee challenges of no longer viable assumptions, the authors offer the principle of resilience as one of the ability to adapt to change while keeping the system intact. The authors share seven pillars of the resilience principle as alternatives and a way forward that benefits both people and the environment.
Pat Conaty (photo left) and Mike Lewis understand that simply tinkering with the current unsustainable economic and governing model is not sufficient to address the problems. Instead, they present a holistic alternative that considers the needs of both people and the planet. By considering a local and regional scaled system, prosperity without growth is possible and sustainable.
To meet the growing challenge of the current and future issues of peak oil, climate change, economic disparity, and reduced democracy, the authors share the seven principles of resilience. The seven pillars are as follows:
* Diversity: Promote and sustain diversity in all forms
* Modularity: Components that can operate and be modified independently
* Social capital: Promote trust, well developed social networks, and leadership
* Innovation: Emphasis on learning, locally developed rules, embracing change
* Overlap: Mix of overlapping common and private property rights, for land access
* Tight feedback loops: Tight, but not too tight, feedback loops
* Ecosystem services: Consider and assess economic service disregarded by markets
Following on the principles of resilience, the authors offer a comprehensive set of five exit ramps to a new solid state economy. The five ramps are:
* Resilience: Strengthening our ability to adapt
* Reclaiming the commons
* Reinventing democracy
* Constructing a social solidarity economy
* Pricing as if people and the planet mattered
For me, the power of the book is how Michael Lewis and Pat Conaty provide a comprehensive blueprint for escaping the trap of unsustainable growth in a world of peak oil, climate change, weakened governance, and failed economics. The holistic approach includes more efficient energy usage, locally produced food, lower cost and available financing, affordable housing and reform of land holding to increase access, and more democratic ownership and sustainability. The authors address each of these concepts with an in depth examination of each idea and its implications.
The book includes case studies for each chapter and concept, demonstrating that the alternatives presented are both viable and proven to be workable. The authors present alternative business models including co-operatives, land use and holding patterns, food production, and enriched democracy that have proven successful in different locations around the world. The recommendations are presented as reasonable and practical alternatives to escape the current economic and environmental constraints.
I highly recommend the status quo challenging and practical solutions oriented book The Resilience Imperative: Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-State Economy by Mike Lewis and Pat Conaty, to any political leaders, policy makers, local governments, business leaders, NGO executives, and the general public who are seeking real solutions to the current and future challenges of peak oil, climate change, and economic and political failure. This book will open your mind to alternatives and innovative solutions, and away from the outworn ideas of the past, that are proven no longer effective now or in the future.
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