The Real Wealth of Nations

Creating a Caring Economics

By: Riane Eisler

Narrated by: Sandra Swafford

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations provided the first, most influential and lasting explanation of the workings of modern economics. But with his focus on "the market" as the best mechanism for producing and distributing the necessities of life, Smith's concepts only told part of the story, leading to flawed economic models that devalue activities that fall outside of the market's parameters of buying and selling. The real wealth of nations, Riane Eisler argues, is not merely financial, but includes the contributions of people and our natural environment. Here, Eisler goes beyond the market to reexamine economics from a larger perspective - and shows that we must give visibility and value to the socially and economically essential work of caring for people and the planet if we are to meet the enormous challenges we face.

Eisler proposes a new "caring economics" that takes into account the full spectrum of economic activities - from the life-sustaining activities of the household, to the life-enriching activities of caregivers and communities, to the life-supporting processes of nature. She shows how our values are distorted by the economic double standard that devalues anything stereotypically associated with women and femininity; reveals how current economic models are based on a deep-seated culture of domination; and shows how human needs would be better served by economic models based on caring. Most importantly, she provides practical proposals for new economic inventions - new measures, policies, rules, and practices - to bring about a caring economics that fulfills human needs.

Like her classic The Chalice and the Blade, The Real Wealth of Nations is a bold and insightful look at how to create a society in which each of us can achieve the full measure of our humanity.

©2007 Riane Eisler (P)2007 Polity Audio LLC

Critic reviews

"The book is ambitious in breadth, depth and scope. Eisler delivers another impressive work that's remarkably well referenced, well argued, insightful and hopeful." (Publishers Weekly)
"Eisler argues cogently that now is the time to invest in life." (Booklist)

An Important Book

This work is of tremendous importance. In it, Riane Eisler paints a vision of a just society in which the needs of all can be met - and which can offer prosperity to all and not just to a select few.

It is difficult to listen to, however, with frequent reference to footnotes, side bars and "return to text." It is well worth the patience it takes to become accustomed to the somewhat "choppy" flow of the text, however.

Ms. Eisler's scholarly approach to the subject makes her vision of this world do-able! Every leader, in fact, every voter must read or hear this!

Could have been better organized

If the author had written a 10 page periodical article, the work would have been just as substantial, and much of the repetition would have been omitted. It seemed that the basic premise, women should be compensated for care-giving, was rehashed ad nausium without specifics of how it should be done. Under "care-giving" the author lumped all sorts of underpaid "women's work", but mostly focused on child rearing and elderly care. Since the specifics of enacting [monetary] compensation were lacking, the very long work seemed like a feminist manefesto without a defined cause. The topics the author touched upon have potential to be thought provoking, particularly in times of economic downturn, but this book did not rise to the call.