The Real Wealth of Nations

Press Release

The Real Wealth of Nations

Creating a Caring Economics

By Riane Eisler

“Eisler delivers another impressive work that's remarkably well referenced, well argued, insightful and hopeful.”—Publishers Weekly

“Eisler precisely maps her detailed vision of a caring economy and diligently supports her concept with a fascinating spectrum of information and analysis of everything from how little we value child care to the true cost of war and pollution. . . Eisler argues cogently that now is the time to invest in life.”—Booklist

America is teetering on the precipice of economic disaster. Commentators and critics attribute our economic misfortunes to deregulated markets and a few bad apples at the top, but these are merely symptoms of a much larger fracture in our economy—lack of caring. In The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics bestselling author Riane Eisler points a way to a sustainable and equitable economic world that gives value to our greatest economic assets—human and environmental capital.

Our present crisis offers Americans an opportunity to envision and implement new economic systems that support people and the environment. That’s what economics should do. After all, the real wealth of our nation consists of the contributions of human beings and nature. We need what we have not had: economic indicators, policies, and practices that promote the shift to what Eisler calls a “caring economics” that works for all of us—and the planet, too.

The current economic system in the US is achieving negative results: In its 2004 Global Competitiveness Report, the World Economic Forum found that the US trailed the much smaller Finland in economic competitiveness. This is largely due to the fact that Nordic nations invest in their human capital, starting in early childhood, where the US does not. According to a 2006 CIA report, the US ranked 42nd in child mortality, behind Cuba and many other poorer nations because money is allocated for prisons, weapons, and wars, and not healthcare, childcare, and other caring activities.

The Real Wealth of Nations details a new strategy for an economic system that gives visibility and value to the most essential human work: the life-sustaining work of caring and caregiving whether it’s done in the home or the workplace. Eisler cites powerful statistics regarding the real value of the unpaid work in households. For instance a 2004 Swiss government survey reported the value of this work at 162 billion Euros or 190 billion US dollars –70 percent of Switzerland’s reported gross domestic product.

Eisler provides a structure for changemakers to transform our economic system into one that values human effort and nature and leads to improved levels of health and education among people of all socioeconomic strata, reduced employee turnover and absenteeism, environmental health, and greater productivity for businesses and our country.

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“The Real Wealth of Nations gives us a template for the better world that we have been so urgently seeking. As practical as it is hopeful, this brilliant book shows how we can build economic systems that meet both our material and spiritual needs. It illuminates the way to a bold and exciting new future.”—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“A call to action. Not only must politicians, businesses and financial institutions change, each one of us must play a role in developing a more caring society. This book is an important tool that can help us make that happen”—Jane Goodall

“A prescription for an economic system that is both equitable and sustainable. It should be read and used by everyone who wants a better world!”—Deepak Chopra

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Riane Eisler is president of the Center for Partnership Studies and author of the international bestseller The Chalice and The Blade, as well as of Sacred Pleasure, Tomorrow’s Children, and The Power of Partnership. Dr. Eisler is a pioneer in the study of complex systems, the recipient of many honors, and a consultant to business and government on applications of the partnership model introduced in her work. She keynotes conferences worldwide.

The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics

By Riane Eisler
Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
$17.95 paperback; 336 pages
ISBN: 978-1-57675-629-4

Publication Date: November 10, 2008

***Riane Eisler is available for interviews. For information about the author and The Real Wealth of Nations please contact Peter Cavagnaro at (415) 743-6469 or e-mail him at .***