In _Depletion and Abundance_ I spend a lot of time talking about the ways that the informal economy is actually more robust in some ways than the formal economy, and the ways that informal economy activity can strengthen our home economies. I argue that in the Developed world, the informal economy is hidden or "housewifized" out of existance - we think of it as a small portion of our life, and not significant, but in fact, the informal economy is enormous and critical.
If you haven't read Robert Neuwirth's _Stealth of Nations_, you should, for a much more in-depth analysis of the role of the informal economy. Check out his Fresh Air Interview here.
Definitely worth a read - a very, very important book!
Sharon
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As I gear up to finish my Adapting-in-Place book, I've been thinking a lot about the role of the informal economy in supporting a culture that can't keep growing and consuming resources at the same rate.
I find the whole idea of a "sharing economy" where people barter and exchange and free up excess capacity in their own lives and situations to make others' lives a little easier and cheaper an interesting notion. And worthwhile.
Here is the single biggest question to consider about the economic, energy and environmental unwinding we are facing - what will the economy look as we go?
From The Nation, Laura Flanders has a piece on what happened to all those long-term unemployed people who have given up - with a flattering quote from yours trul