Ferraris for All: In defence of economic progress

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Which plenty do we want?

Ferraris For All by Daniel Ben-Ami reviewed by Mark Iddon

Everyone should be free to choose, at least there where they are formally sovereign. For some, plenty can mean being able to continue living off a mangrovia forest. Jul 22, Sam rated it liked it. Alexander rated it liked it Oct 13, Tim Chambers rated it it was amazing May 27, Rayne Laborde rated it it was ok Jun 26, Robharries rated it really liked it May 20, Theresa Clifford rated it it was amazing May 11, Michael Trousdell rated it it was ok May 20, Bhaskar Sunkara marked it as to-read Jun 27, Thebookmistress marked it as to-read Oct 11, Non marked it as to-read Nov 30, Nico Macdonald is currently reading it Jan 09, Gus marked it as to-read Mar 15, Lebohang Bucibo marked it as to-read Mar 30, Stevphen Shukaitis marked it as to-read Apr 08, Notash marked it as to-read May 25, Chris added it Jun 04, Rakhi Rajani marked it as to-read Jun 28, Michaela marked it as to-read Jul 08, Rodney Ulyate marked it as to-read Jan 31, Marcin marked it as to-read Dec 16, Carolyn marked it as to-read Apr 07, Aaron marked it as to-read Apr 16, Mark added it Aug 05, Davor Nikolic marked it as to-read Dec 29, Alexey Goldin marked it as to-read Feb 05, Christopher Hurtado marked it as to-read Aug 27, Ben-Ami notes, however, that actually the Ferrari is symbolic, and it is not essential to be restricted to that particular brand, but it is about the aspiration and ambition for everyone to have much more than they actually need.

Daniel Ben-Ami, starts the book by asking the question of whether the present global downturn was caused by over consumption by greedy consumers and greedy bankers lending recklessly, as has been suggested by many commentators.

The trends identified by Ben-Ami are those associated with sustainability and climate change, the happiness movement, along with some initiatives on equality and poverty in developing countries. On the face of it the above ideas seem self evidently progressive and, as Daniel Ben-Ami notes, they are often presented in humanistic terminology.

After all the earth is finite, the population is growing and increasing carbon emissions do appear to effect global temperatures.

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People in Western countries are generally living longer, healthier lives, enjoying travel, good food and extravagant past times, but do not seem to be happier, less anxious and are often recommended counselling on encountering an alarming experience. Greater disparities in wealth do seem to increase with economic growth and with that the tensions which may be exhibited in power relations both within and between countries.

Daniel suggests also that the trends of his concern are concepts which have been introduced by those of traditional left of the post war political spectrum or the radicals who have always campaigned for equality of opportunity and against the recklessness of capitalism. While Daniel Ben-Ami describes much of the mainstream economic thinking as growth scepticism, his targets are actually reluctant to declare that they are sceptical of economic growth preferring to think of themselves as realists.

However, the word sustainable is more often than not used both to precede and qualify the use of the term economic growth. Daniel notes the implied need for limits and that development is only considered sustainable if it uses minimal resources, recycled where possible and then after an impact assessment to confirm its environmental implications.

The measuring of human activity in terms of a carbon footprint presumes from the outset that human activity is causing harm to the world and our environment and that we must only do what we can in order to preserve the finite resources. Daniel Ben-Ami notes that the Reverend Thomas Malthus stated in that within 50 years, the population would grow so much that the earth would not be able to provide enough food. Understanding community second edition. No Place Left to Bury the Dead. Summary of Unequal Democracy: The Era of Global Transition.

Town Planning into the 21st Century. Global child poverty and well-being.

God of the Empty-Handed. Financial Systems in Developing Economies. Affordable Housing in the Urban Global South.

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Playing for Their Lives: Learning, Capability Building and Innovation for Development. Housing Boom and Bust. Social Movements in Britain.

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