Ferraris for all: In defence of economic progress
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Ferraris for all: In defence of economic progress

Ferraris for all: In defence of economic progress

by Daniel Ben-Ami

Overview

The growth of the economy and the spread of prosperity are increasingly seen as problematic rather than positive. They are accused of encouraging greed, damaging the environment, causing unhappiness and widening social inequalities. The mainstream acceptance of these views is a trend Daniel Ben-Ami has termed 'growth scepticism'.Ferraris for all is a rejoinder to the growth sceptics. Using examples from a range of countries, the author argues that society as a whole benefits from greater affluence. Action is needed - not to limit prosperity, but to encourage creativity and growth in resolving the problems of poverty, inequality and the environment, to increase abundance and to spread it worldwide.Lively and provocative, this timely book will trigger debate and dissent in equal measure."An exceptional and much needed book." Angus Kennedy, Culture Wars

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781847423450
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Publication date: 05/15/2012
Pages: 296
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Daniel Ben-Amihas worked as a journalist specializing in economics and finance for twenty-five years, during which he has contributed to many national newspapers and specialist publications, including the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, Prospect, Sunday Telegraph, and Sunday Times. He is the author of Cowardly Capitalism: The Myth of The Global Financial Casino.

Table of Contents

List of figures, tables and boxes iv

List of abbreviations vi

Acknowledgements viii

Preface x

Preface to the paperback edition xiii

A note about the title xvii

1 Introduction 1

Part 1 The rise of growth scepticism

twotPolar opposites: supporters and opponents of growth 17

3 An indirect attack: the many forms of scepticism 31

4 Mainstream and elitist: the character of sceptic ideology 59

5 Narrowing horizons: why scepticism triumphed 73

Part 2 Counter-arguments

6 Better than ever: growth benefits humanity 95

7 Environment: subjugate nature 123

8 Happiness: conservatism in disguise 163

9 Inequality: development not restraint 191

10 New egalitarianism: redistributing pain 231

11 Conclusion: abundance for all 253

Bibliography 259

Index 299

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Ferraris for all: In defence of economic progress 3 out of 5 based on 0 ratings. 2 reviews.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
RolfDobelli More than 1 year ago
If you've ever felt guilty about the accoutrements of life in the developed world - plentiful cars, abundant food, cheap energy - economics and finance journalist Daniel Ben-Ami says to stop. He contends that society's elites are afflicted with wrongheaded ideas about how to improve the world. He argues that underprivileged countries desperately need capitalist growth to improve their people's lives, and that developed nations should try to help them boom, not weigh them down with self-denial programs. Ben-Ami's thinking and writing is spotlessly clear but unbendingly hard, and every once in a while he wanders off the path of logic. Nonetheless, he makes a formidable, controversial case. getAbstract suggests his book to corporate managers working on global outreach, economists, and big thinkers who want to ensure the invisible hand is outstretched for a leg up, not a slap in the face.