|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| This is an audio recording of a lecture entitled ‘The Growth Illusion’ held at the Centre for Human Ecology, looking at the question of whether or not economic growth over the past 30 years has been a positive thing for Britain. The Speaker is Richard Douthwaite; a well-known author of articles and publications in many countries, and this lecture is based on his book of the same title. Looking at the origins of the idea of beneficial economic growth the speaker details how the UK government predicted the doubling of the national income in the 1950s, anticipating greater wealth for all. He goes on to explain that by the time the growth was actually achieved in 1988 the population had also risen, along with divorce rates, crime, and unemployment, and he examines how many such changes in social culture affected economic development. Part of the piece examines the Local Exchange and Trading (LET) system, and explains how money is created from a credit-deficit system. The speaker argues that almost all of the money we use today has been created on the basis of deficit, leading to an unsustainable future for the present economic system. He illustrates this point with the example of Japan, explaining how over-borrowing by the country during the 1980s has led to heavily inflated prices and hugely extended mortgages for borrowers. The speaker goes on to discuss the flaws in the credit system, and how this leads to a greater widening of the gap between rich and poor. He also examines the huge global power of the United States, with two-thirds of all the world’s currency being in U.S. dollars. The lecture is summed up by looking at possible alternatives to the drive for economic growth. There are also references to relevant books mentioned throughout which may be of interest to listeners wishing to learn more about the topics covered. This audio recording lasts 52 minutes and 56 seconds. |
| |
|
|
| |
| Creators: |
Speaker - Douthwaite, Richard
| |
Subject: |
Development, Economy
|
| Contributors: |
Centre for Human Ecology - Copyright Holder
| |
Date created:
|
12 / 03 / 2002
|
|
Language:
|
English
|
Country:
Region:
City:
|
United Kingdom
| |
Rights:
|
Community Media Association has non exclusive rights for the use of the work in The Showcase, but the overall copyright rests with the Centre for Human Ecology. Copyright the Centre for Human Ecology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
If your browser can’t display the graphical link above to the translator, you may translate this page by going to the Babelfish website and pasting the address for this page into the box marked “Translate a web page”. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
