Study Guide for The Progress Illusion

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Study Guide The Progress Illusion Reclaiming Our Future from the Fairytale of Economics Jon D. Erickson

Adapted from Jon Erickson’s class: NR 141

Students should be able to answer the following questions, but not necessarily from memory. Many of these questions do not have right and wrong answers. What is important is that in your answers the facts are correct, and the argumentation is sound. Do a little research where you aren’t sure. Type terms you don’t know into Google or, even better, Google Scholar. Defend your answers against possible criticisms, but do not hesitate to admit where you are uncertain or could see the other side. There’s no need to fake certainty in response to unknowable questions!

The need for an ecological economics • • •

What is the economy? What is degrowth? What are ecological economists’ main criticisms of neoclassical economics? Think about economics’ assumptions regarding human nature and behavior, social relationships, well-being, the biophysical world, non-human beings, and so on. In what ways must the economy transform to address climate change? What sorts of policies might spark such a transformation?

Economics as contingent history • • • •

Should we think of the economy as an evolutionary system? Why or why not? What is the 99%? How do economists justify economic inequality? Why do Occupy protestors and other justice activists condemn it? Who gets more benefit from an additional dollar of income, Jeff Bezos or you? How about an extra million dollars?


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