This is an evolving collection of books and papers that we think may be of interest to visitors to our website. We may not have read every book listed.

If you would like to suggest a book for inclusion, please contact us.

These books will be stocked by many independent booksellers. Find your local bookshop and buy from them online

Violence

'Why Some Politicians are More Dangerous Than Others' by James Gilligan
"James Gilligan has discovered a devastating truth that has been "hiding in plain sight" for the past century - namely, that when America's conservative party, the Republicans, have gained the presidency, the country has repeatedly suffered from epidemics of violent death."

Consumerism

'Affluenza' by Oliver James
"There is currently an epidemic of 'affluenza' throughout the world - an obsessive, envious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses - that has resulted in huge increases in depression and anxiety among millions."

'All Consuming' by Neal Lawson
"How shopping got us into this mess and how we can find our way out."

'Happiness: Lessons from a new science' by Richard Layard
"Most people want more income. Yet as societies become richer, they do not become happier. This is not just anecdotally true, it is the story told by countless pieces of scientific research."

Economic democracy

'Beyond the Corporation: Humanity Working' by David Erdal
"A book for our times. Offering inspiration and vision in the wake of financial Armageddon, it is the story of ordinary people who share the ownership of the businesses where they work." 

'Local Heroes: How Loch Fyne Oysters Embraced Employee Ownership
and Business Success' by David Erdal
"The extraordinary story of Loch Fyne Oysters, the successful, environmentally-pioneering seafood company on the west coast of Scotland, owned by its employees since 2003."

'People-First Economics: Making a clean start for jobs, justice and climate' a collection of essays edited by David Ransom and Vanessa Baird
"Capitalism is in crisis and exposed as a bankcrupt system. This study explores the implications of the crash for all encompassing economic thought and much more: the radical changes that are social, moral, ecological and philosophical are already beginning to emerge."

'Socioeconomic democracy: An advanced socioeconomic system' by Robley E. George, Director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Societies
"In a finite world with each of us being mortal, with population and environmental pressures growing, and natural resources dwindling, limits will clearly have to be set... Socioeconomic Democracy is therefore a welcomed principle to reorient dominant values, which are now the bane of the human race and threaten its survival."

The Scott Bader Commonwealth by EF Schumacher
The story of Ernest Bader, who gave his company to its employees in 1951.

Environment

'Green Economics: An Introduction to Theory, Policy and Practice' by Molly
Scott Cato
"The world as we know it needs a new economics.... Society should be embedded within the ecosystem, and markets and economies are social structures that should respond to social and environmental priorities." 

'Prosperity without growth? The transition to a sustainable economy' by Prof Tim Jackson
"Prosperity Without Growth? says that the current global recession should be the occasion to forge a new economic system equipped to avoid the shocks and negative impacts associated with our reliance on growth. Ahead of the G20 Summit in London, the report calls on leaders to adopt a 12-step plan to make the transition to a fair, sustainable, low-carbon economy."

'The Social Barriers to Sustainability' by Bob Hughes
"To avert climate change, we must outlaw inequality and open the borders."

'Enough is Enough: ideas for a sustainable economy in a world of finite resources' a report from the Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy
"The single most complete collection of policy initiatives, tools, and reforms for an economy that makes enough its goal instead of more."

Inequality

'Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men who Stole the World' by Nicholas Shaxon
"Far more than an exposé, Treasure Islands is a brilliantly illuminating, forensic analysis of where economic power really lies, and the shockingly corrupt way in which it behaves. If you're wondering how ordinary people ended up paying for a crisis caused by the reckless greed of the banking industry, this compellingly readable book provides the answers." David Wearing, co-editor of New Left Project

'Fair Play: Reader on Social Justice' by Danny Dorling
"Professor Dorling, geographer extraordinaire, brings the debate on inequalities and social immobility to life: if his powerful new book leaves you stimulated, provoked, angry, then Danny Dorling has succeeded again." Lord Richard Best, independent member of the House of Lords

'Against Power Inequalities: Reflections on the struggle for inclusive communities' by Henry Tam [available as a free download]
“An erudite romp through the history of civilization that highlights the origins of power and the neverending effort to democratize hierarchical systems through mobilized participatory communities.”

'Injustice: Why social inequality exists' by Danny Dorling
"Beliefs which serve privilege, elitism and inequality, infect our minds like computer viruses. This book provides the brain-cleaning software we need to begin creating a happier society."

'The Trouble with Billionaires' by Linda McQuaig and Neil Brooks
"Our society tends to regard large fortunes as evidence of great talent or accomplishment. Yet the vast new wealth isn't due to an increase in talent or effort at the top, but rather to changing social attitudes legitimizing greed and government policy changes that favour the new elite."

'Towards a More Equal Society? Poverty, inequality and policy since 1997' edited by John Hills, Tom Sefton and Kitty Stewart
"Welfare reform has been at the heart of the New Labour project. This book is the definitive assessment of those reforms: where they succeeded, where they failed - and why."

'Falling Behind:  How rising inequality harms the middle class' by Robert Frank
"In a book that explores the very meaning of happiness and prosperity in America today, Robert Frank... compels us to rethink how and why we live our economic lives the way we do."

'Unjust Rewards: Ending the greed that is bankrupting Britain' by Polly Toynbee and David Walker
"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. City workers earn millions. Manual workers earn less than they did thirty years ago. This book presents a worrying portrait of Britain."

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These books will also be stocked by many independent booksellers. Find your local bookshop and buy from them online