Economism

Harmut Rosa critiques the systemic drivers of continuous growth, including normalized attitudes and perceptions of value of capital (e.g., aspirations, attractivity, opportunity, social capital). He suggests that we yearn for resonance (or relating and meaning unmediated by capitalism) and advocates for the creation of public spheres of resonance to change the current systems.

ecapio. (2014, September 4). Harmut Rosa talks about his concept of "Resonance" - Degrowth Leipzig 2014 [Video]. YouTube.

This resource is a way of bringing discussion of the very real and impending potential for civilizational collapse into the classroom. This could be a good way to begin in-class conversations on the future of Concordia as much as the future of higher education institutions.

Kingsnorth, P., & Hine, D. (2009). Uncivilization: The dark mountain manifesto. The Dark Mountain Project.

Pierre Charbonnier explores fresh intellectual landscape: the environmental history of political ideas. He doesn't just trace the roots of ecological thought in politics, but argues that all political ideas, regardless of their stance on ecology, are influenced by our relationship with the Earth and environment.

Charbonnier, P. (2021). Affluence and freedom: An environmental history of political ideas. John Wiley & Sons.

"Through this insightful book, Harvey unveils capital for its impacts on capitalism and on our daily lives" (source).

Harvey, D. (2014). Seventeen contradictions and the end of capitalism. Oxford University Press, USA.

"The trajectories of pollution in global capitalism, from the toxic waste of early tanneries to the poisonous effects of pesticides in the twentieth century" (source).

Jarrige, F., & Le Roux, T. (2021). The contamination of the earth: A history of pollutions in the industrial age. The MIT Press.

"Nature, money, work, care, food, energy, and lives: these are the seven things that have made our world and will shape its future. In making these things cheap, modern commerce has transformed, governed, and devastated Earth. In A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things, Raj Patel and Jason W. Moore present a new approach to analyzing today’s planetary emergencies" (source).

Patel, R., & Moore, J. W. (2017). A history of the world in seven cheap things: a guide to capitalism, nature, and the future of the planet. University of California Press.

In this timeless masterpiece of economic history and social theory, Karl Polanyi delves into the seismic shifts ushered in by the Industrial Revolution—the "great transformation." His exploration not only exposes the flaws of the self-regulating market but also warns of the grave social perils posed by unchecked market capitalism.

Polanyi, K., Stiglitz, J. E., & Block, F. L. (2001). The great transformation: The political and economic origins of our time (2nd ed). Beacon Press.

"The animation both lays out the problems of excess materialism and points toward solutions that promise a healthier, more just, and more sustainable life" (source).

New Dream. (2011, December 5). The high price of materialism [Video]. YouTube.

"If you can unhook yourself from buying things you don't need you not only will have much less pressure on your work life but you also and that's even more important find time for other things which truly make us happy" (3:24–3:27). Instead, satisfaction forms from relationships, intellectual life, and communal life.

Etzioni, A. (2012, September 10). You don’t need to buy this [Video]. YouTube.

Jonathan Porritt discusses consumerism as "an idea that we should all actively be consuming more and more every year and that this is the best measure of economic progress" (1:56-2:09) and its Western historical contexts.

TheSpiritualfreedom. (2011, December 2). The trap of materialism [Video]. YouTube.

Short (1300 words) webpage presenting definitions, facts and figures about consumption and consumerism.

Shah, A. (2014, January 5). Consumption and consumerism. Global Issues.

The Story of Stuff is a quick, 20-minute exploration of how our buying and making stuff affects the world. It's fast-paced and full of facts, showing us the hidden side of our production and consumption habits, urging us to rethink our relationship with the objects in our lives. 

The movie sparked a movement, showcased on their homepage. There, you'll find more animated shorts, videos, and documentaries exploring "More Stuff", along with quizzes and educational materials.

The Story of Stuff. (2009, April 22). The Story of Stuff [Video]. YouTube.

By integrating Netukulimk (traditional Mi’kmaq management) with traditional and conventional ways of understanding, known as Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), UINR takes the lead on best-management practices in Unama’ki. Netukulimk is achieving adequate standards of community nutrition and economic well-being without jeopardizing the integrity, diversity, or productivity of our environment. As Mi’kmaq we have an inherent right to access and use our resources and we have have a responsibility to use those resources in a sustainable way. The Mi’kmaq way of resource management includes a spiritual element that ties together people, plants, animals, and the environment. UINR’s strength is in our ability to integrate scientific research with Mi’kmaq knowledge acquisition, utilization, and storage.

Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources [UINR]. (n.d.). Netukulimk. UINR.