Digital Downloads: Localism for a Shrinking Economy

The economy is no longer merely passing through another temporary recession. It is beginning a long process of contraction as energy, materials, food, transport and essential services become increasingly expensive.

The PDF publications offered here explore what this means for everyday life. They examine the weakening of the growth economy and the gradual emergence of a more local way of living.

Localism is not presented as a political programme imposed from above. It will grow naturally as long as supply chains become less dependable, discretionary employment declines and communities are required to provide more of their own food, care, energy, skills and practical services.

The subjects to be covered include:

• the shrinking economy and the end of continuous growth;
• local food production and security;
• energy, transport and housing;
• work, wages and the changing role of government;
• families, communities and mutual support;
• the revival of local trades and small businesses;
• the future relationship between towns and their surrounding countryside; and
• the practical development of resilient localities.

Each PDF brings together related articles in a convenient, carefully edited publication. They can be downloaded and kept for reading, printing and future reference.

A free introductory PDF, The Coming Age of Localism, explains the central ideas behind the collection. The other publications examine particular aspects of localism in greater depth.hese are not predictions of a distant future. They are an attempt to understand changes that are already beginning, and to consider how smaller, more human and more durable local economies may emerge from them.

The following files are now available; more will be added