Manuel Pastor Knihy

Traditional economics is built on the assumption of self-interested individuals seeking to maximize personal gain. This is far from the whole story, however: sharing, caring and a desire to uphold the collective good are also powerful individual motives. In a world wracked by inequality, social divisions, and ecological destruction, can we build an alternative economics based on our mutual co-operation? In this book Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor invite us to imagine and create a new sort of solidarity economics – an approach grounded in our instincts for connection and community – and in so doing, actually build a more robust, sustainable, and equitable economy. They argue that our current economy is already deeply dependent on mutuality, but that the inequality and fragmentation created by the status quo undermines this mutuality and with it our economic wellbeing. They outline the theoretical framing, policy agenda, and social movements we need to revive solidarity and apply it to whole societies. Solidarity Economics is an essential read for anyone who longs for an economy that can generate prosperity, provide for all, and preserve the planet.

Set against the backdrop of California's Salton Sea, the narrative explores the urgent need for justice amid a burgeoning lithium extraction industry. This region, plagued by severe environmental health issues, is now at the center of a "lithium gold rush," vital for electric vehicles and renewable energy. The book raises critical questions about who will truly benefit from the exploitation of this abundant resource, highlighting the intersection of environmental concerns and economic opportunity in the quest for clean energy.

The book explores the implications of the IMF's stabilization programs during the Latin American debt crisis, challenging conventional growth-focused critiques. Dr. Pastor presents a new perspective by analyzing the impact of these programs on class dynamics and income distribution, suggesting that the traditional analysis fails to capture the complexities of the situation. Through this lens, the author offers a critical examination of economic policies and their social consequences in the Third World.