Lecture Notes: Plenitude

Given that we have a fair amount of ground to cover during these last two classes, I am going to post some of my lecture notes on "Plenitude." Please make sure to print out or copy these notes because I may make up final exam questions based on them. Also, DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE MANY TEXTUAL REFERENCES -- these are passages from the book that I would have quoted and commented on in class.

We left off last Thursday near the beginning of Chapter Three, so I'll just start from there:

Chapter Three: Economics Confronts the Earth

A. Much of this chapter is devoted to a detailed, at times complex, analysis of how the field of economics has attempted to come to grips with the environmental impacts of economic activity. To a large extent, she questions the conclusions of these so-called "environmental economists" -- from the "CORNUCOPIANS" (who basically argue there are no limits to growth) to the "TRADE-OFF ANALYSTS" (cost-benefit calculators) by calling into question some of the basic assumptions on which they construct their elaborate models.

1. Before we look at some of these flawed assumptions, it is important to note that up until recently (the last couple decades or so) environmental impacts were NOT even considered (or measured) by mainstream economists -- such impacts were considered mere "EXTERNALITIES." Market prices did not reflect ecological costs.

2. Dr. Schor suggests that the urgency of climate change has contributed to more of an openness to ecological or environmental economics, but there are still relatively few such economists (eg., only one environmental economist in Harvard's 55-member economics department).

3. Cornucopians or eco-optimists even believe in the wonders of population growth itself, which they believe will result in more smart people, more human ingenuity, which will discover substitutes for nature: if we chop down the forests, we can rely on tree plantations, or if we overfish and deplete the oceans, we can start fish farms.

4. A more moderate eco-optimism believes that as countries grow richer, they will at some point address pollution, so rather than discourage growth we should be encouraging it. But this assumes that market players will make the right choices when it comes to scarcity or climate change. Note how Dr. Schor challenges such an assumption. See all of p. 75.

5. Trade-off economics also assumes market competition creates a "best of all possible worlds." See pp. 76-77, especially the Latin phrase at the bottom of p. 77.

B. Then, there is the great hope that we won't really have to change our behavior, or business-as-usual (BAU) because the creation of "green technology," green products will save the day. But as Dr. Schor notes there is a big BUT... -- see 2nd & 3rd paragraphs, p. 86.

1. One problem with this is the "REBOUND EFFECT" -- that as we make products greener, more efficient, it will encourage even more consumption. See Fig. 3.3, top p. 90.

2. She presents a revealing case study of Great Britain, which has been described as "carbon crazy" -- significant government, business, media attention and action to reduce the carbon footprint. Note her analysis, see pp. 92-93.

C. Unquestionably, as she re-emphasizes at the end of the chapter, we need to address growth itself -- "Either we have to grow less or we have to grow very differently." (p. 97)


Chapter Four: Living Rich on a Troubled Planet

A. In the context of the "limits of the current growth regime," Dr. Schor describes a couple broad alternatives: (1) BAU or (2) PLENITUDE. See opening paragraph, p. 99 -- the last sentence previews the subheadings of the rest of the chapter.

B. Dr. Schor also identifies an important underlying principle of living a life of plenitude. As she says, "The strategy of diversification outlined below can be a route to a similarly light footprint. But its ability to yield a life of true happiness and well-being is ultimately dependent on a prior principle -- one life living. It comes from the idea that most people believe they have only a single chance on earth. To live richly, or with plenitude, one must use that chance in a way that is personally meaningful." (p. 100)

C. Diversifying out of the BAU economy will first of all require that we reclaim time -- time that has been lost to the market and consumption. As Dr. Schor observes: "Millions of Americans have lost control over the basic rhythm of their daily lives. They work too much, eat too quickly, socialize too little, drive and sit in traffic for too many hours, don't get enough sleep, and feel harried too much of the time." (p. 103)

1. She, then, goes on to document just how much more we are working today and the adverse effects of this -- stress, worse physical health, depression, etc..

2. Rather than the usual "trade-off economics" perspective -- that either we will be living poorer or working longer -- plenitude offers another option -- see top paragraph, p. 107.

a.) And she cites survey results which suggest a big jump in the percentage of adults having made a voluntary lifestyle change that entailed earning less money (from 19% in 1996 to 48% in 2004). And most who made this change reported being happier, although many also acknowledged that they missed the money.

D. But to make such voluntary lifestyle changes more feasible we must address some basic security needs we all have. Here, Dr. SChor squarely acknowledges our need to address the following security concerns -- MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, PENSIONS. "To date, none of these problems has been solved..." (p. 110, top) See the rest of pp. 110-111.

1. "Once individuals know that they will be taken care of if they get ill, that their children can be well educated at a reasonable cost, and that they will have a pension at the end of their working lives, they are free to pursue a lower impact and more satisfying style of life." (p. 112)

E. "Rebalancing between market and nonmarket activity is not only a strategy to improve individual well-being; it is also a centerpiece of ecological sustainability,...Earn less, spend less, emit and degrade less." (p. 112)

F. Dr. Schor then goes into many ways that we can produce things for ourselves. And she later notes how more advanced technology can make DIY projects less arduous and boring.

1. Perhaps most interesting in this regard is the so-called "digital fabricator" -- advanced machines that follow sets of digital commands to manipulate and form raw materials to produce actual objects. (p. 121)

2. She calls some of these DIYers, "BIONEERS."

G. And what about the "Plenitude Consumer?" -- the all-American passion for shopping? Here, she offers a different view from the more typical and simple approach to shop less -- see bottom, p. 127 - middle of p. 128.

1. Should embrace a new focus on QUALITY, and what she calls "SLOW SPENDING."

2. Also, REUSE and RESALE of the masses of things we've already produced -- the Goodwill solution.

H. Small Can Be Beautiful, especially smaller homes.

I. The Share Solution -- eg. "Zip car" which in some cities makes vehicles available on a short-term basis. Or, "freecycle."

J. The sharing economy, in addition to its obvious ecological benefits, can assist in rebuilding social ties in a society "...that has experienced a rise in disconnection, loneliness, and individualism." (p. 139, top)

1. Need to rebuild our SOCIAL CAPITAL.

2. Ironically, economic growth, prosperity can actually undermine community because people can afford to purchase services and not depend as much on neighbors simply to borrow things.

3. Finally, Dr. Schor underscores the benefits of rebuilding our social capital. She cites Eric Klinenberg's book, "Heat Wave" -- that social isolation was a major factor contributing to higher death tolls in certain parts of Chicago. See last paragraph, p. 142.
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That brings us up to Chapter Five, which is where I will begin tomorrow, Tues., 5/10.