A World That Works : Building Blocks for a Just and Sustainable Society

Animated by the proposition that an economics constrained by respect for the natural world and human dignity is possible, this volume offers a rich menu of alternative ideas and experiences that are moving us toward a more just and sustainable future. It also helped to set the stage for the June 1997 TOES (The Other Economic Summit) in Denver. Many of the ideas and experiences discussed in the book were debated there as alternatives to the official agenda being addressed by the government leaders at the Group of 7 Economic Summit occurring simultaneously.
The ideas and experiences presented in this book are grouped around several themes, such as what works to create real wealth, to democratize science and technology, to link sustainability with justice in the real world, and to build sustainable livelihoods and sustainable communities. Must reading for all who believe in and are willing to work for a better

Trent Schroyer is Professor of Sociology-Philosophy in the School of Social Science and Human Services at Ramapo College in N.J.

Since 1988 he has participated in networks of International Scholars and Citizen's Organizations concerned with counter G-8 Discourse, Alternative Economic Strategies, Sustainability, and Cultural Alternatives to Development. He served as Program co-coordinator for the counter G-8 summits in the United States in 1990, 1997 and 2004 and President of The Other Economic Summit (TOES/US) from 1998.

TOES/US is an international non-governmental forum for the presentation, discussion, and advocacy of the economic ideas and practices upon which a more just and sustainable society can be built -- "an economics as if people mattered." TOES is a precursor of the World Social Forum, with a long history of building solidarity links among peoples and communities around the world.

In 2000 he was invited by Siddhartha, from Fireflies Intercultural Center in Bangalore, India, to bring Americans to document the cultural alternatives and activist movements that work in India. Leading three tours in 2001-2003 for activists, scholars and students resulted in a semester-long study abroad program called 'Peace, Justice and Social Movements' in 2004 that is now ongoing every winter semester.

Schroyer joined the Ramapo faculty in 1973 because of its non-traditional Interdisciplinary Schools and mission of global education. At first he taught in the School of Environmental Studies, and later served as Co-Director of the Institute for Environmental Studies in the School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

He graduated with a PhD from the Graduate Faculty of the New School in New York City. Originally a specialist in European Critical Theory, teaching at the Graduate Faculty of the New School in New York City, his book "The Critique of Domination:The Origins and Development of Critical Theory" was nominated for a National Book Award in 1973.