Abstract

This is a darkly humorous guide to the three great crises plaguing today's world: environmental degradation, social conflict in the age of austerity and financial instability.

Rob Larson holds mainstream economic theory up against the grim reality of a planet in meltdown. He looks at scientists’ conclusions about climate change, the business world’s opinions about its own power, and reveals the fingerprints of finance on American elections.

Through ascerbic analysis, Bleakonomics unveils a world of extreme inequality, confusion and insanity.


'A most valuable contribution to public understanding and vitally needed action'
Noam Chomsky
'Whether illuminating the rapacious class war being waged by America's CEOs, the remarkably mindless degradation of the world's oceans, or the wishful thinking about the increasingly evident consequences of global warming, Rob Larson consistently brings powerful insights and a biting wit. Larson has a unique skill for translating complex economic and scientific analysis with both clarity and force'
Roger Bybee, labour journalist
'Robert Larson's range of topics and accessible writing make this book an invaluable contribution to the critical task of connecting environmental degradation and overwhelming corporate power'
Mary Zepernick, co-founder of Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy (POCLAD)
'Larson adds a critical component to the policy debate about financial reform by explaining why the systemically dangerous institutions (SDIs) -- the 'too big to fail' banks -- imperil our democracy as well as our economy'
William K. Black, Associate Professor of Economics and Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City, author of The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One.
'Fact-driven, concise, interesting, and even funny -- that's unusual for a book about economics, policies, and working people'
Tom Szymanski, Organizer of IBEW Local 275