This week I finished:

The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy, by Nick Romeo: I had heard about Mondragon, the cooperative in Spain, a while ago. I told a friend who recently moved to Barcelona about it. She found Nick Romeo’s New Yorker article on it, which led me to look at his other articles, which led me to his book. The book compiles a lot of those articles.

I sometimes describe a difference between physics and economics: when a theory in physics makes a prediction and nature does something different, physicists say the theory is wrong. when a theory in economics makes a prediction and nature does something different, economists say nature is wrong. I think Romeo would agree not with the literal statement, but the meaning.

He suggests that a lot of what passes for discussion in economics today is ideology couched in complex math. Economists suggest some pattern follows a physical law and imply it can’t be questioned. Then he gives working examples that contradict mainstream economics, at least in America and England: huge cooperatives, jobs guarantees, worker-owned companies, and more. He also describes how new economists are looking into or questioning areas past generations didn’t: climate change (he mostly missed the greater issue of environmental problems in general) and wealth distribution, for example.

I found it enjoyable and informative. He describes some theory and debate, but mostly gives examples of ventures that contradict ideology. Economists could use the opportunity to question their theories, but I suspect many will instead criticize reality.

• ← I attended my first natural building workshop today and recommend it.
• I spoke to a New York City public high school class on astrophysics and sustainability. Here’s the recording. →