Economy by Bill Mckibben Mainly

¶ … Economy by Bill McKibben mainly contains suggestions on creating a more sustainable global community. Chapter 4 is entitled "The Wealth of Communities." It describes various elements within the concept of community property. Community property does not simply refer to physical property, but also to the various avenues of sustenance that could be open to such a community. Some of the examples that McKibben refers to include a local radio station, decentralized solar power, and local currency.

McKibben's argument is that communities that can sustain themselves on a local level are conducive both to material sustainability and emotional sustenance for those sharing the communal space. The recent recession has focused a large amount of attention on economic issues, especially as these relate to the global economy and trade. The non-localized nature of the recession indicated the nature of the world in which we live today. Humanity has never been closer in terms of communication, yet further apart in terms of individuality.

A further problem highlighted by the economic crisis is the fact that the current economic paradigm is basically both unsustainable and fragile. In Chapter 4 of his book, McKibben offers what he believes is a viable and long-term alternative to the mass consumerism encouraged by today's media. His community-based model offers solutions on a dual scale: human beings will be emotionally more whole by living in closer proximity on a community scale, while also being more independent from mass industry by creating a sustainable local economy.

Although the chapter appears to generally apply to Vermont, I do believe that it has a wider application as well. McKibben's idea of "hyper-individuality" is particularly interesting. This refers to the fact that the increasing wealth and technology that many Americans subject themselves to today also has an increasingly isolating effect. The Internet allows interaction without in fact interacting in a social setting. Isolation on a wider scale occurs as a result of large industries.

Most Western citizens are dependent upon large industrial companies for their food, power, and almost all other necessities and desires. This is ultimately unsustainable, not only for the world in general, but also for the individuals involved. Because of the focus on mass consumption as promoted by the media, the human tendency is to want whatever the media promotes. This leads to unsustainable lifestyles, which contributes to further problems like debt and the like. Rather than the happiness and fulfillment promised by the many products on offer, misery increases.

As such, hyper-individuality and unsustainable mass-consumerism appear to be at the basis of the emotional and lifestyle problems people tend to experience today. McKibben offers some interesting alternatives. Although the communally-based lifestyle he suggests appears somewhat extreme at first glance, I do believe that a compromise needs to be made in order to ensure the future of humanity. McKibben's book is a good starting point, especially in terms of locally sustainable communities. Policies could be put in place for example to focus on implementing.