The Economics of Arrival

What do we want from economic growth? What sort of a society are we aiming for?

In everyday economics, there is no such thing as enough, or too much, growth. Yet in the world’s most developed countries, growth has already brought unrivalled prosperity: we have ‘arrived’.

More than that, through debt, inequality, climate change and fractured politics, the fruits of growth may rot before everyone has a chance to enjoy them. It’s high time to ask where progress is taking us, and are we nearly there yet?

In fact, Trebeck and Williams claim in this ground-breaking book, the challenge is now to make ourselves at home with this wealth, to ensure, in the interests of equality, that everyone is included. They explore the possibility of ‘Arrival’, urging us to move from enlarging the economy to improving it, and the benefits this would bring for all.

'Making ourselves at home in an economy that has enough' on Transforming Society
'What does progress look like if we stop pursuing economic growth?' on Transforming Society
'READER REVIEW: The Economics of Arrival' on Transforming Society
'Futures of Economics' in Futures of Work
'#048 Arriving at Wellbeing Economy' in The RegenNarration
Referenced in ''New Economics'-The Way to Save the Planet?' in Reuters
'Still raging against the economy?' in OpenDemocracy

"This is a must read for anyone who cares about social justice, the future of the biosphere and our place in it. Trebeck and Williams challenges us to think about what we owe to future generations and raise serious questions about pursuing economic growth as an end goal. An important and timely book worthy of a broad audience and vibrant discussion.” Tim DiMuzio, University of Wollongong

"It’s a great book and a must-read for anyone who has recently become interested in environment, ecology, social justice and economics... the writing is fresh and accessible. It has helped me in my efforts to communicate the issues and possibilities to people who are not familiar with the need for limits and an end to aggregate growth." Feasta

“I couldn't be more enthusiastic about your book. The timing is perfect given what is going on politically in the US, UK and Australia…In a dark time it shines some light, hope and very well argued sanity” Alex Sloan, former Canberran of the Year and ABC journalist

"Creating an economy for everyone is not a utopia anymore, but the only way forward. This book will not only inspire you to achieve it but also give you the tools for the future we all want." Livia Firth, founder, EcoAge

"A compassionate guide to shifting gear, from an economy based on pursuit of growth to one that can discover the joy of what it has already achieved. We need this book." Neva Goodwin, Tufts University

"With its invitation to make ourselves at home in the world, The Economics of Arrival celebrates the pioneers and projects that show the new world emerging through the cracks of the old." Hunter Lovins

"With their concept of 'arriving', the authors provide fodder for exciting debate on humanity's most important project, the search for wellbeing alternatives that will help make peace with the earth” Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, and co-editor of Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary

"A mature and powerful contribution to the discussions and debates that will create visions for societies that work for both people and planet; a vital step towards change." Kate Pickett, University of York

“An economic edifice, built over decades, took humanity to the edge of an ecological precipice. Rising in its ruins, The Economics of Arrival reveals green shoots of a better model and asks the key question: how do we make ourselves at home in the world without breaking the boundaries of the biosphere?" Andrew Simms, New Economics Foundation

"Brilliantly argued: time to learn how to live, not clamour for more and more… Very top of must read list!" Gar Alperovitz, author of America Beyond Capitalism

"A must read for anyone who cares about social justice, the future of the biosphere and our place in it. Trebeck and Williams challenge us to think about what we owe to future generations and raise serious questions about pursuing economic growth as an end goal. An important and timely book worthy of a broad audience and vibrant discussion." Tim DiMuzio, University of Wollongong

Foreword by Kate Raworth;

Preface;

1 Introduction;

2 The fruits of growth;

3 Are the fruits of growth beginning to rot?;

4 Stockholm Syndrome;

5 Rushing past our stop;

6 Embracing Arrival and making ourselves at home;

7 What we might find in making ourselves at home;

8 Arrival and making ourselves at home in the real world;

9 Are we nearly there yet;

10 From individual initiatives to system change;

11 Choosing Arrival;

12 Conclusion;