‘Progressive Protectionism’ details why ever more open borders are increasing inequality, reducing economic activity and threatening the environment. It explains how countries could rebuild and rediversify their economies by limiting what finance and goods they allow to enter their borders, and in the process wean themselves off export dependence. Domestic businesses and funding sources would then meet the needs of the majority in society in all countries. The prospect of such increasing economic security for the majority could gain widespread political support ranging from those on the left, the centre, the greens through to small ‘c’ conservatives.
About the authour
Colin Hines is the convener of the ‘Green New Deal’ group. He coined the term in 2007 and brought together a group of finance, tax, energy and environmental experts to make the case for massive spending on energy savings to help solve the economic crisis. He is at present working on a project in which Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe, intends to raise £100s of millions to make more than 100,000 properties energy efficient.
His forthcoming book ‘Progressive Protectionism’ details why a global ‘Green New Deal’ needs an internationalist ‘Green New Protectionism’.
He is an advisor to the Green Member of Parliament Dr Caroline Lucas and author of the book ‘Localization- A Global Manifesto’ (Earthscan). Before that he was the Co-ordinator of Greenpeace International's Economics Unit having worked for the organisation for 10 years.
Governments hold up international competitiveness as the be-all and end-all of policy, presenting globalization as inevitable. It isn't, as Colin Hines shows in this persuasive and passionate polemic.
