The Economics of Enough: How to Run the Economy as If the Future Matters

Coyle believes that the recent financial crises was "a catalyst for many people to ask fundamental questions about the way the economy is organized, and about the links between the economy and what kind of society we'd like," and uses her well-reasoned new effort to seriously examine those questions. Coyle (The Soulful Science), a part-time professor who runs a consulting firm specializing in technology and globalization, divides her book into Challenges, Obstacles, and a "Manifesto." With chapters "happiness," "nature," "posterity," "fairness," and "trust," she analyzes current problems; though happiness has been debated by philosophers for centuries, in the last decade, "economists have muscled into" the debate. While economic growth is essential, Coyle argues that the way it is achieved must change. She defines obstacles to that change, arguing for a broadening of what we value to include intangibles, like entertainment and nursing services. Her "Manifesto of Enough" calls for enlightened economic policies that will allow for growth and create a sustainable world. While Coyle wants to reach out to reasonable people of all political stripes, it's not hard to see where her heart is when she states that teachers contribute more socially than they are paid, and that bankers' social contribution is greatly exceeded by their pay. Photos. (Mar.)