Take Back the Economy: An Ethical Guide for Transforming Our Communities

As we watch the middle class dwindle, its income stagnant, feeling helpless to help themselves and helpless to help the poor, along comes a book that gives us practical advice supported by empirical evidence of what we can do to change the lives of our families, our communities, our Nation and the Universe. The authors aren't just brilliant academics, they have the practical experience. Anybody can say there has to be a change or blog about what is wrong. The book tells us what we can do because we are not powerless subjects of recalcitrant governments and bureaucracies. This is one of the few books that I have sent to family members simply because of its merits and not waited for a special occasion. I suggest you not borrow a copy, buy it, because you will be marking it up in the margins, underlining, and highlighting text as you learn what you can do to "Take Back The Economy".

Although this book is wrote for a community-level approach (and use by community members) it is a little dense in sections that prevent some of the concepts from being appropriately understood. It is, however, an excellent text. I would recommend a little more readings in the background of the neoliberal economy before trying to tackle this book though.

An informative and engaging work that offers both critical insights into contemporary conditions and concrete examples of what can (and is) being done to take back the economy and create more sustainable (ecologically, emotionally, and economically sustainable) communities. This work helps readers imagine how to escape the debilitating condition of seeing "capitalism" as everywhere and forevermore. Perhaps most impressively, three academics have produced a book that is enjoyable to read with graphics and examples to illustrate their arguments. A wonderful book overall.

Fantastic, practical, inspiring resource. The associated website is also tremendously helpful as a resource for education and action.Both are great antidotes to the prolific negative takes on so many global environmental, social, and economic trends.

What a wonderful book, highly recommend it, in the hope of a better world for us all.

liberal hippy garbage but was required for my class. the stuff inside is laughable at best.

Book ReviewGibson-Graham, J.K., Jenny Cameron and Stephen Healy. 2013. Take Back the Economy: An Ethical Guide for Transforming our Communities. University of Minnesota Press; Minneapolis, MN. ISBN -978-0-8166-7606I have been a community economic development professional and educator on this subject for more than 20 years. I am always on the lookout for books that make it simple for emerging practitioners and students to develop a quick sense of how to frame and re-frame, act, reflect and improve upon their work in the field. This book is helpful in both the applied and the academic contexts.People new to community development, particularly those interested in alternative development paradigms will find much benefit here in the insightful and reflective review of considerations in community economies.The book covers the nature of work and things to think about in terms of how wages are set and options that support more fairness in the use of surplus created by production. It delves into the business models, alternative ways to think about markets, finance and property. All of it is offered in a format to support dialogue of ethical considerations in community economies. It offers what the title says: ethical guidance, and that is very useful for participatory community dialogue.

This engaging, accessible book reframes the economy as a site of ethical action, not expert intervention. Not only does it provide a new way of thinking about the economy and our actions within it as a space of possibility, it also offers myriad inspiring examples of individuals and communities creating change. An essential book for those interested in creating ethical and sustainable futures.

perfect and fast

Perfect condition.