The book “Enough is Enough” is an excellent work done by authors, Rob Dietz and Dan O’Neil. The book very precisely details out how earth’s fitness resources are being utilized without making any improvement to people’s lives. Authors very brilliantly describe the realistic alternatives to continuous quest for economical growth and development: economy for which goal is not enough, any more. The book explicitly presents strategies to preserve natural resources, decrease disparity, stabilize population, generate jobs and fix financial system etc. All strategies emphasizes on capitalizing on long-term economic well-being than sort-term earnings. The book is eminent piece of systematic and effective planning that helps in achieving steady-economy and genuine prosperity for all. This paper intends to discuss key elements of book and how they are relevant in planning profession.
Each chapter of this book begins with comic but addresses a serious issue. This is perhaps to ensure the interest of people in this book and also to present serious issues in a light manner so that people can understand these issues. The book is mainly separated into three sections. Part one of this book explores why, rather than how. A number of good questions are asked by authors about the current state dealing with why of the sporadic state of the issue. Apart from asking questions, this part maintains a balance between with several key facts and informative data. Second part of this book is all about exploring ideas of confining energy and material usages.
This part also deals with the ideas that stabilize population growth without adopting any coercive means. Further, reorganization of wealth, improving financial system and changing the current state of affairs are discussed along with arguing a change of attitude in measuring development and how corporate and industry calculate the same. Third part of this book thoroughly talks about consumerism and inspects its present form and future. It discusses how the current form of consumerism is neither sustainable nor it is ideal for individuals or for corporate world (Dietz and O'Neill).
The main idea of book was emerged from a conference planned by ‘economic justice for all’ and ‘CASSE’ in the year 2010. Thereby the book presents idea developed through sharing, listening, and collaborating. General concept of economic planning derived on economical growth that is considered as good “an economy where the goal is enough, not more” (Dietz and O'Neill). Authors argue this concept by claiming that growth is not the answer to problems people are facing due overuse of natural resources. Generally planning emphasize on effective use of resources to maximize the output. Steady state of economy should be the future in order to attain sustainability and wellbeing of all people.
The central plan is to initiate, unpack and implement the idea of ‘Steady State Economy’; this economy is affluent, flourishing but not increasing or growing. The book raises several questions for economic planner such as what type of economy is good, growing or sustainable and exact role of green economy. Is it really possible to develop steady economy without any growth? Do present global economic conditions make it difficult to attain steady state economy in near future? The book very clearly describes why something is essential and how it can be achieved. This book runs through topic by topic, covering different economical and social aspects such as population, business etc., unlike various other books that summarize solutions only in few pages at the end. Every chapter of book covers three major aspects: present, way to the future, and future.
Between Problem and solution, planning is a key strategy and authors have focused on it substantially. Economic growth is inevitable for any individual, society and country in this world. Everybody keeps planning to generate money and make their future happy and secure. Planning is only way of executive things and future is decided according to right or wrong planning. Authors in their book, appear to indicate that all problems like economic growth, illiteracy, population control, illegal immigration, rampant crime, growing inflation, hunger, poverty exist due to lack of good planning and they will be vanished with the help of effective planning only.
Every politician, policy maker, social worker is worried about increasing population. It has become a major issue of concern in countries like china and India. Population growth produces other problems and aggravates the existing issues. Addressing population growth and recognizing the role and importance of planning, authors opine, “Taking action is more prudent approach, and there is a simple strategy that all nations can put into practice together- providing education about family planning and ensuring access to condoms and other contraceptives” (Dietz and O'Neill).
Authors have accepted the importance of planning in their book in a substantial manner. Planning professionals should be feeling very proud about their role and importance and try to perform better in order to make things better. Planning has been recognized by the authors as a key to solve several eminent issues that world faces today. Good Planning stands between problems and solutions. Planning is so important that Failure of Planning breeds problems and effective planning solves these problems.
The book at some points appears to be disappointing. It talks about problems but there are several issues that are not discussed by the authors and growing debt is one such issue that has not been discussed. Growing debt is a burning issue for several economies of this world and it also prevents the growth of these countries. Debt affects a development process of an economy and eats out a large sum of money which can be spent on education, poverty, infrastructure, population control, and can solve several other problems. Authors while mentioning issues forgot to tell the ideas to solve them. They have just discussed the problems instead of suggesting how to solve the issues.
‘Enough is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources’ suggests that apart from a number of problems, there is still hope for a better world where sustainable growth and well being of humans will be main objective. Authors appear to succeed in carving the issues and also in suggesting future planning and strategy in order to solve these issues. Book is valuable for the students and after going through this book, I would suggest everybody in my class to read this book and it should be a part of planning syllabus. The book is well written and provides a complete portrayal of issues that are relevant for every individual as well as for every country of this world. The book is well researched and provides valuable data and information which is useful for students, researchers and policy makers.
Works Cited
R. Dietz and D. W. O'Neill. Enough is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources. San Francisco, CA: Routledge, 2013.
