Economies that Mimic Life

Written in an accessible way for non-economists, the book is ideal for those interested in the benefits of the Nordic model, the principles of biomimicry and can be used to understand corporate and government behaviors.

The world economy today is at an historical inflection point. The neoclassical (industrial) model of economics is self-destructing while a new life-mimicking model, based on radically different assumptions, is emerging. Although rarely acknowledged in economic journals, Nordic countries, which pioneered the life-mimicking model, have become world leaders in prosperity and productivity while those operating on the older neoclassical/industrial model are trapped in downward spirals.

By approaching economies as sub-systems of life rather than super-systems that transcend life, we gain transformative insights. Such thinking led to the first circular economy experiments in Kalundborg (Denmark) during the 1970s, then quickly spread to the rest of the Nordic world. By placing a higher value on living assets (people and Nature) than on non-living capital assets, this approach generates harmony rather than exploitation and conflict. Because Nordic people feel vested in the system and responsible for its success, they are extraordinarily innovative and productive. That is why Nordic companies are regularly rated among the world's most sustainable and profitable in their fields - even though their region holds less than half of one percent of the world's population.

Written in an accessible way for non-economists, the book is ideal for readers interested in the benefits of biomimicry and methods of guiding democratic countries along a proven path of self-renewal. Economies That Mimic Life will also provide useful background for corporate leaders in scenario planning and strategic thinking. Knowing which way the political-economic wind is blowing will become increasingly important to corporate survival.

Autorentext

Joseph H. Bragdon is an investment advisor to high net worth families. Economies That Mimic Life is his third book on the general subject of biomimicry in business and economics. He is a pioneer in the field of corporate stewardship.

Inhalt

Introduction 1. The Six Qualities of Life-Mimicking Cultures 2. The Value of Social Capital Networks 3. The Catalytic Power of Education 4. Frugality as Strength 5. Openness as Long-Term Strategy 6. The Value of Symbiotic Vision 7. Towards a More Conscious Economy 8. The Nordic Renaissance 9. What we Can Learn from The Nordic Model Epilogue: Why Iceland has a higher Living Standard than the US Appendix One: Leverage Points in Economic Development Appendix Two: Nordic Companies in the Global 100 Appendix Three: The Nordic Ecological Footprint Appendix Four: The Fallacy of Debt Leverage