Rating: 
Summary: Economics for the conscientious
Review: "Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train" states a dire dilemma that affects us all. Not only is the problem clearly stated, but the solution comprises the second half of the book: a call to replace the illogical perpetuity of economic growth with a vastly more reasonable steady-state economy, in which all citizens are well educated and comfortable. Czech acknowledges that this might sound utopian and unrealistic, but his proposals and vision are both achievable and permanently viable. Once realized, people will be happier; it will be true happiness, as there will be more time for self-actualization and learning, not the faux "happiness" that money does buy.Czech offers a long-overdue redefinition of social classes from an ecological perspective, one that avoids the accusation of "class warfare." The new classes--whose relationships, intersections, and conflicts are meticulously detailed--are defined less in terms of how much money one has, than of how it is being spent, whether there is excessive consumption, etc. Many years later, finally, I see that my miser of a millionaire uncle is to be respected for being a steady-stater. Czech provides useful suggestions for activism. This book helped solve a personal crisis of mine. I perceived severe defects in our economic model and felt we're practicing capitalism poorly. Admittedly we're a wealthy nation, but who exactly has most of the capital--the income gap ever widening--and at what cost and sacrifice, to ourselves, other animals, and our home that is Earth? I was desperate enough to have considered democratic socialism! Now I know what is required: a reformation of capitalism. Czech, employing common sense, layman's terms, and sound logic--all well-documented and cited, of course, and backed by education and experience--builds an exemplary and reasonable case that an economic revolution on a Copernican scale to a steady-state economy is not only wise but absolutely essential. As a bonus, his writing is highly readable and entertaining. I knew little to nothing about economics before opening this book, but I must've expended at a minimum two highlighters on this educational, illuminating piece of work. I want all my friends to read this now!
Rating:
Summary: A plan to stop the runaway train
Review: Brian Czech is a wildlife bioligist by profession and it is interesting that he should choose to write this book on the topic of steady-state economics. He notes in the prologue that his epiphany came while on a trawling boat in the Bering Sea. He wondered how the ship could hold the enormous catch it was bringing in until it dawned on him that the fish were being caught for their roe and then pumped out to sea "as a sort of ichthyological hamburger." It was the beginning of the realisation that the real roots of environmental destruction lay in economic growth and that if he wanted to save the forests and wildlife that he loved he would have to work on the challenging the assumptions of neo-classical economics. Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train is divided into two parts. The first part is entitled "The Runaway Train" and it details the problems with economic growth and neo-classical economics and gives an overview of ecological economics. The second part is entitled "Stopping the Train" and it details Czech's model for a "Steady State Revolution" which would transform the growth economy to a steady state economy. Czech does an exceptional job of explaining the problems of neo-classical economics and its obsession with growth. He cleverly redefines economic growth as "economic bloating" and he avoids bogging the reader down with technical terms. This makes the book accessible and interesting to readers of all backgrounds. He argues that there is need for a Copernican revolution in the world view of neo-classical economists. "Only when we have a more Copernican economics will economists live in a world in which economic growth is limited, where the rest of us common folk are already stuck," Czech writes. Just as the universe does not revolve around the world, neither can limitless economic growth occur in a finite world. Indeed Czech rightly points out that this is simply common sense, but he is also aware of the power of the paradigm and also the power of politics which both seek to maintain the status quo. In the last chapter of part one Czech introduces ecological economics. The chapter is entitled "Copernicus, are you out there?" which again alludes to the need for a paradigm shift. He notes that many of the great discoveries in science have been made by people working outside their field. This is because they work with fewer assumptions and "do not suffer the tunnel vision of the paradigm." This is the reason why many of those who challenge the economic growth model come from a background in the physical and biological sciences. It is also noted that the contribution of scientists alone to ecological economics is not sufficient. Those devoted to the study of economics still have an important role to play for it is they who truly understand the nuances of what makes an economy work. It is here that the work of Daly and others is significant. Having spelled out the problem and given an overview of the solution, Czech delivers his manifesto for a "steady state revolution" in part two of the book. He asserts that there is a need for "nothing less than a revolution, a social revolution to match the academic revolution of ecological economics." (p. 111) The target of Czech's revolution is over consumption or more specifically what he defines as conspicuous consumption. This is the indulgences of the very rich which go way beyond any kinds of need. The steady state revolution is based on a radical definition of the classes (although it should be noted it has nothing to do with Marxism). Three new classes are defined-the liquidating class, the amorphic class and the steady state class. There are some interesting reasons for targeting the super rich and perhaps one of the best ones is that a vastly disproportionate share of the additional wealth created by economic growth goes to those in the liquidating and amorphic classes. This statistic is interesting: "The average income of the 80 percent of Americans who are non-managerial has declined over the past twenty years." Another interesting statistic is that "approximately 99 percent of the annual increase in American's wealth goes to the 20 percent that is most wealthy. While I see there are some problems with Czech's idea for a steady state revolution they do not really detract that much from the book overall. Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train is an engaging read and provides much food for thought. It is a welcome addition to the body of literature that explore alternatives to the current economic system.
Rating: 
Summary: Another important clue in uncovering the world we live in
Review: Brian has really impressed with his thoughtful analysis of our economy from both an intellectual and spirtual viewpoint. Unfortunately, none of this can be easily proved, but that is the case with the most important things in our lives, all of which have a spirtual base (religion, our role in society, role in the family, etc.). Brian has uncovered and clarified issues which have probably been rolling around in the back of many of our minds, for example the link between Darwinism, Maslow's heirarchy, and sexuality. (The real spirit of how things work is deeply embedded in our passions, sexuality, etc, and we must uncover these things to get to the root of all critical life issues). He also proposed a viewpoint of the role of the wealthy in our society, how their behavior impacts our economny and ecology, and how we all are capable of the same behavior if we had a few more dollars in our pocket, so perhaps a little better understanding of each other across "classes" is in order. Brian only loosely alluded to the role of addiction in the behavior of the wealthy (e.g. if you have a hundred million dollars, why do you need more, what are you trying to prove, and aren't you in a position to exercize the most important human / spirtual values?). Perhaps a closer look at the role of addiction and prevalance of addictive behaviors and how they contribute to "success" and sustain destructive behaviors and ego based delusions at the expense of a more spirtual well roundedness would be in order. Brian makes an excellent point about how a real solution requires a change in the mindset of the populace (very Jeffersonian) to be more aware and more involved in solving these problems, however he falls short with solid solutions. But then again, maybe there are no simple solutions. This book is about awareness, and it does a great job at it.
Rating:
Summary: Another important clue in uncovering the world we live in
Review: Brian has really impressed with his thoughtful analysis of our economy from both an intellectual and spirtual viewpoint. Unfortunately, none of this can be easily proved, but that is the case with the most important things in our lives, all of which have a spirtual base (religion, our role in society, role in the family, etc.). Brian has uncovered and clarified issues which have probably been rolling around in the back of many of our minds, for example the link between Darwinism, Maslow's heirarchy, and sexuality. (The real spirit of how things work is deeply embedded in our passions, sexuality, etc, and we must uncover these things to get to the root of all critical life issues). He also proposed a viewpoint of the role of the wealthy in our society, how their behavior impacts our economny and ecology, and how we all are capable of the same behavior if we had a few more dollars in our pocket, so perhaps a little better understanding of each other across "classes" is in order. Brian only loosely alluded to the role of addiction in the behavior of the wealthy (e.g. if you have a hundred million dollars, why do you need more, what are you trying to prove, and aren't you in a position to exercize the most important human / spirtual values?). Perhaps a closer look at the role of addiction and prevalance of addictive behaviors and how they contribute to "success" and sustain destructive behaviors and ego based delusions at the expense of a more spirtual well roundedness would be in order. Brian makes an excellent point about how a real solution requires a change in the mindset of the populace (very Jeffersonian) to be more aware and more involved in solving these problems, however he falls short with solid solutions. But then again, maybe there are no simple solutions. This book is about awareness, and it does a great job at it.
Rating: 
Summary: Part I by itself would have earned 5 stars
Review: I was initially attracted to this book by its title: that our growth economy has become a runaway train into which our economic efforts are merely shoveling fuel is a great metaphor. ... I expected the second part of the book, in which the author prescribes his recommendations, to be weak. Instead, I found his proposal and its supporting arguments arresting. And the book throughout is engaging and highly readable. I'm too lazy or rushed to try to provide a summary that will do justice to his proposal here. Suffice it to say that I think what he offers is workable and appropriate for our society. It is a way that can significantly help us to get there (to sustainability) from here, with the best of our system of government and cultural values intact. Let there be no mistaking it - Czech prescribes a nonviolent revolution! While I don't think his proposal is the last word on the matter or necessarily the main approach sustainability advocates should use, I do think it has influenced me significantly and in good ways that will foster effective action. Isn't that what you would want from a book like this? Having said that, I think Czech's approach would be well supplemented by an emphasis on the creative possibilities of sustainability. Other sustainability voices (e.g., Hawken, Lovins, McDonough, Braungart) seem to emphasize the building, restoring, redesigning, and creating. Czech emphasizes restraint. Given our fix, both are needed. And greater attention to virtue, as David Orr has argued, would help all around. Finally, I'll mention that ecological economics, which Czech espouses throughout the book, seems to be a real up-and-comer. I've just learned of a development called post-autistic economics, which started in France and is akin to ecological economics. Something is afoot here! We could be in for a paradigm shift, and this book could be instrumental in shaping and promoting it.
Rating:
Summary: Problem identified; solution in doubt
Review: It is a curiosity of modern economic thought that some people--Brian Czech identifies them as "neoclassical" economists, led in part by the late Julian Simon--think there is no end to economic growth. When I first became aware of this idea some years ago I dismissed it out of hand along with what I saw as a couple of similar delusions, that of perpetual population growth and an ever-increasing agricultural yield. But maybe the seemingly impossible is possible after all! To get right to the heart of the matter--which Czech does after noting that economic growth is a national goal; that is, a political and (one might say) an emotional goal somewhat in the manner of "manifest destiny" from the nineteenth century--we need to ask why Simon (and other respected economists) think that such a fantastic thing as perpetual economic growth is possible. First they start with "substitutability," the idea that when we run short of some resource another will be developed or otherwise come along to take the place of the now scare resource. Thus plastic replaces wood; coal will replace oil, wind power and mirrors in space will replace coal, and farmed fish will take the place of the wild variety. Second, there is the notion that the efficiency of engines and other technological developments will increase endlessly. And third, there is the relatively new idea of "human capital," a kind of fuzzy--one is tempted to say mystical--belief that human intelligence, education and knowledge will just keep right on growing and growing and growing, getting more and more from less and less. Perhaps these guys never heard of entropy or diminishing returns--or they think that such things are so far in the future that they needn't be mentioned. I suppose somewhere along the way the neoclassicists do recognize that in the very long run even the universe will grow cold, and economic growth will become but a faint and very distant cosmic whisper. What Czech observes, as he convincingly destroys Simon's perpetual growth arguments as Simon articulated them in The Ultimate Resources 2 (1996), is that "Eventually they will recharge their arguments...by resorting to the topic of space travel" (p. 44)--meaning that if we run out of resources on earth, we'll just go to the moon, to Mars, to Alpha Centauri! So what Julian L. Simon and the others are really saying is not clear. What is clear is that they want no limits on economic growth, and they especially do not like to hear sob stories about what we are doing to the environment in pursuit of an ever expanding economy. But what Brian Czech does in this sprightly tome is throw a kind of Niagra Falls flood of water on America's love affair with what he calls "liquidation"--that is, the liquidation of natural capital for present consumption to the impoverishment of future generations. As others have pointed out he does a good job of demolishing what he dubs "the Ptolemaic theory of perpetual economic growth" (p. 51) in favor of "a more Copernican economics...in which economic growth is limited." (p. 49) He calls this new paradigm, "steady state economics" or "ecological economics," in which the natural resources of the planet are not wantonly wasted and destroyed by greedy "liquidators" bent only on self-gratification and status display, but instead maintained by more frugal steady-staters seeking self-actualization as their primary goal in life. This recall of psychiatrist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs fits right in with Czech's hope for a sustainable economy since self-actualization need not require more fuel than the planet has. What Czech does not do well is convince this reader that his steady state plan has a snowball's chance in the boiler room of his runaway train of becoming the accepted paradigm before we use up most of the world's non-renewable resources. What with the acquisitive nature of the human animal (which Czech delineates very well in his portrait of the "Liquidating Class") and the need of corporations and government leaders to go from "ups to upper ups" economically-speaking (to recall Lucy's words in the Peanuts comic strip), there is little prospect that conservation-minded individuals will have enough influence to stop the train before it crashes. What is terrible about this--and this is what Czech is warning us about--is that it will be our grandchildren who will pay the price as the rain forests turn to burgers and the ocean's fisheries to a whopping fish story in the memory of the last fisherman. What kind of world will it be? I don't think that the Bush administration and the present political leaders of most of the world really care. They see it as somebody else's problem downstream. Czech's optimism that the train can be stopped seems like so much whistling Dixie in the dark. I think the deeper issue here is that of the capitalist/corporate economic system itself. Capitalism defeated communism, and we can say hurrah for that. But can a planet with finite resources survive an economic system that seems to function well only when it is spiraling upward? Since capitalism is the current paradigm, to suggest that it needs replacing amounts to something like blasphemy. Consequently Czech does not target capitalism per se. After all he has a career and a reputation to consider. However, I have neither to worry about, and I can say it: capitalism as an economic system is becoming a cancer on the planet. Perhaps the system that will replace it (still awaiting its genius) will build on Czech's steady state ideas.
Rating:
Summary: A display of scientific and political savvy
Review: Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train opens with a clear and compelling exposition of the limitations of classical economics. In the chapters composing Part I, Brian Czech delivers a powerful critique of the idea of limitless growth, while offering a concise examination of the psychological and marketing forces behind our consumer culture. In Part II, Czech moves beyond the parameters of a traditional academic treatise and sets out a plan, based in the science of conservation biology, that transforms the contentious, relatively new field of ecological economics into a coherent plan for political action and cultural change. One of the catchwords in contemporary academia is "mutidisciplinarity." In this remarkable work, Czech's intellectual range and his passion for the environment combine to make the dream of multidisciplinary analysis into a reality with real power. Shoveling Fuel's combination of sound substantive analysis and polemics make it a perfect resource for undergraduate classes in economics, marketing, political science, environmental science, conservation biology/ecology, and science studies. It deserves a wide and attentive audience.
Rating:
Summary: Important, Smart, Practical
Review: Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train will educate, enlighten, and even entertain you --- an accomplishment for any book, but an especially notable achievement when you consider that this is a book about economics. This is a book that will forever change your perspective of the world in which we live. It works kind of like "Find the Hidden Picture" in the children's magazine, Highlights: at first you don't see the shoe, the spoon and the puppy, but once you discover them, there is no way to stop seeing them. In the tradition of New World, New Mind by Robert Ornstein and Paul Ehrlich, Shoveling Fuel takes us past the point of no return on the road of increased awareness. Specifically Brian Czech teaches us the fallacy of neoclassical economics, explaining that our pursuit of the illogical and predictably elusive goal of constant and infinite economic growth will result in devastating consequences to be paid by generations to come. Czech makes this a little more personal by referring to the generations who will pay the piper for our foolishness as "the grandkids." Czech outlines a new economics, what he calls "steady state economics," and he explains himself so clearly that even a guy who can't balance a checkbook (like me) can understand. As a psychotherapist and writer of social/political commentary I love what Czech has to say about how the necessary changes must come as a result of social, rather than political, revolution --- his term is "a revolution of public opinion." Translation: the politicians who are supposed to represent us will not change until we do. I am inspired by what Czech has to say on this subject because I believe that his thinking is applicable to issues even broader than the economy. The lesson essentially is that if we don't invest the time and effort into thinking through the big issues of the day, those found under the umbrella of globalization, we might as well start preparing to hand over a complete mess --- our train wreck --- to "the grandkids." Read this book. You won' be sorry. You will be smarter --- no, you will be more enlightened. - Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear (HarperSanFrancisco)
Rating:
Summary: How to stop the "runaway train" of too much growth
Review: Shoveling Fuel For A Runaway Train: Errant Economists, Shameful Spenders, And A Plant To Stop Them All by Brian Czech (Adjunct Professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) is a scathing indictment of rampant overspending and the lasting harm it can do (and is doing) to America's economy. After persuasively describing in considerable detail what the problems are, Brian Czech offers practical and articulate ideas on how to stop the "runaway train" of chasing after too much growth without stagnating the economy, or causing painful recessions. It is the cautionary words of Shoveling Fuel For A Runaway Train that make this treatise stand out and demand to be read by governmental policy makers and the entire taxpaying population.
Rating:
Summary: The Growth Mania Punctured
Review: The perpetual growth machine is arguably the single most destructive mechanism behind the diminishment of nature. Look no further than the corporate center built next to the new highway in New Jersey, or the new "pre-owned car" dealership plopped down somewhere in the LA Metroplex. Brian Czech, a wildlife-biologist-turned-myth-busting-economist, has punctured the growth forever fairy tale in this lively, easy-to-read call to arms for the forthcoming steady-state revolution. After all, what's so bad about just living modestly in concert with the sky, rocks, birds, whales, salamanders and wild elk? Nothing, of course, but most folks have forgotten our place in nature. Only fools can possibly believe forever in the gospel according to Greenspan. It is indeed time to stop shoveling fuel on this runaway train we call the American economy and begin to relearn how to live in concert with the Earth. Stop the train. We want off.
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