The death of homo economicus : work, debt and the myth of endless accumulation / Peter Fleming.
"For neoclassical economists, Homo economicus, or economic human, represents the ideal employee: an energetic worker bee that is a rational yet competitive decision-maker. Alternatively, one could view the concept as a cold and selfish workaholic endlessly seeking the accumulation of money and advancement - a chilling representation of capitalism. Or perhaps, as Peter Fleming argues, Homo economicus does not actually exist at all. In The Death of Homo Economicus, Fleming presents this controversial claim with the same fierce logic and perception that launched his Guardian column into popularity. Fleming argues that as an invented model of a human being, Homo economicus is, in reality, a tool used by economists and capitalists to manage our social world through the state, business, and even family. As workers, we are barraged with constant reminders that we should always strive toward this ideal persona. It's implied - and sometimes directly stated - that if we don't then we are failures. Ironically, the people most often encouraged to emulate this model are those most predisposed to fail due to their socioeconomic circumstances: the poor, the unemployed, students, and prisoners. Fleming illuminates why a peculiar proactive negativity now marks everyday life in capitalist societies, and he explores how this warped, unattainable model for workers would cause chaos if enacted to the letter. Timely and revelatory, The Death of Homo Economicus offers a sharp, scathing critique of who we are supposed to be in the workplace and beyond"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780745399409 (paperback)
- Physical Description: 314 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
- Publisher: London : Pluto Press, 2017.
- Copyright: ©2017
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 269-308) and index. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Economics > Philosophy. Capitalism > Social aspects. Neoliberalism > Social aspects. Work > Political aspects. Work environment > Social aspects. |
Available copies
- 3 of 4 copies available at BC Interlibrary Connect. (Show)
- 1 of 2 copies available at Nelson Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 4 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
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Nelson Public Library | 330.01 FLE (Text) | 3514830029237 | Adult Non-Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
Nelson Public Library | VAN1808104674317 (Text) | BNE1808104674317 | Adult Non-Fiction | Volume hold | On order | - |