Donut Economics - 7 ways to think like a 21st century economist

Introduction 

It's always useful to read widely and to include viewpoints which differ from those in the mainstream - ideas perpetrated by thoughtful individuals with a deep and varied experience with life.

Along these lines, I always make it a point to read George Monbiot, a writer with The Guardian.   For those who wish to learn more, here is his web site: George Monbiot

a few words from about George:

Here are some of the things I try to fight: environmental destruction, undemocratic power, corruption, deception of the public, injustice, inequality and the misallocation of resources, waste, denial, the libertarianism which grants freedom to the powerful at the expense of the powerless, undisclosed interests, complacency.

Here is what I fear: other people’s cowardice.

I still see my life as a slightly unhinged adventure whose perpetuation is something of a mystery. I have no idea where it will take me, and no ambitions other than to keep doing what I do. So far it’s been gripping.

Donut Economics - 7 ways to think like a 21st economist

An Insight about an Historical Ecological Assault - The Advent of Agriculture

I spent many years studying landscape change, especially the evolution of forest cover in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Forest.  This, coupled with extensive reading led me to conclude that the greatest human-caused global ecological disaster ever was the advent of agriculture.  

My wife and I will visit Britain this year.  I used to love the highlands and the Borders between England and Scotland.  They are beautiful but those lands barely hide the ugliness of a declining agricultural economy propped up by artificial subsidies and a system of land management which suppresses ecological diversity and stability.  Read more here: All the Hills are Dead. 

Monbiot makes a compelling argument for the "rewilding" of the British uplands, taking into account a variety of perspectives.  He concludes:

Rewilding could be a lifeline to those who live and work in the uplands. How many people, post-Brexit, will be prepared to keep paying £3bn, roughly same as the NHS deficit, in farm subsidies whose current benefits are hard to discern? Taxpayers may be more inclined to part with this money when it produces such obvious public goods as functioning ecosystems and magnificent wildlife.