Nick Romeo, a journalist, has released a new book titled “The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy.” In his book, he argues that our current growth-based economic systems often ignore the human cost involved. He points out that despite the existence of economic initiatives and programs that have been proven to improve local citizens’ lives, they are not widespread. Romeo highlights models such as “true price” initiatives, which take into account human labor costs and environmental impacts in pricing, and job guarantee programs that ensure everyone in a community has access to employment.
Romeo emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in economic decision-making throughout his book. He calls for the reintroduction of ethics into economics and showcases examples from around the world, as well as some from California, to demonstrate alternative approaches to structuring economies. By taking a more ethical and community-focused approach to economics, Romeo believes that there is much to be gained for society as a whole.
During our conversation with Romeo, we will explore what strategies have been successful in creating just economies, what hasn’t worked, and the potential benefits of adopting an alternative approach to how we think about and teach economics. Through these discussions, we hope to shed light on the importance of considering the human aspect of economics and the potential positive impacts of incorporating ethics into economic practices.