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Amitai Etzioni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • social justice in a post Affluent Society
    Social Science Research Network, 2017
    Co-Authors: Amitai Etzioni
    Abstract:

    Operating under the assumption that the current technological revolution will result in increased unemployment due to smart machines being used in roles traditionally occupied by humans, this article addresses how societal promotion of communitarian pursuits over affluence will lead to increased social justice. A greater reallocation of wealth can be expected when communitarianism thrives because social bonds create a sense of obligation to support less endowed members. Furthermore, even though the shift to a post-Affluent Society has not yet occurred, millions are already committed to pro-social pursuits and are demonstrating that when people of means embrace social justice, they are willing to share more readily.

  • social justice in the post Affluent Society
    Theory in Action, 2017
    Co-Authors: Amitai Etzioni
    Abstract:

    The article spells out the reasons and provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that if the culture of a Society shifts from one that extols affluence to one that extols communitarian pursuits-major gains for social justice will become much more probable. An obvious reason to expect that this hypothesis will hold true is that the more members of a particular social grouping view each other as members of the same community-the more they are likely to be willing to support reallocations of wealth that reduce inequality in that Society. However, there are much deeper and stronger links between a communitarian culture and social justice. Before I can outline those and present relevant evidence, I need to outline the reasons such a culture shift is called for and what it may encompass.UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONSa. In the near future, a large number of jobs will be lost to smart (AI-equipped) instruments, machines, and robots.b. Unlike previous technological revolutions, this one is unlikely to generate a large number of new jobs.c. Hence, underemployment will increase and many of those who do find jobs will be paid poorly and have few benefits. Indeed many will work in the gig economy.d. Those who design, produce, and own the smart instruments will increase their wealth, leading to growing inequality.e. As a result, most people-who currently expect to improve their economic conditions and to be able to bequeath to their children a better life than they had-will be very frustrated.f. As a result of these trends-as well as others not explored here-these frustrations will result in growing hostility toward the government, the Affluent, minorities, and foreigners. These trends are already visible in Europe and, to a lesser extent, in the US.g. These consequences can be mitigated if those who have their basic needs well sated and secured find contentment in pursuits that are not labor or capital intensive and hence have low costs. These communitarian pursuits include spending more time cultivating meaningful relationships; in spiritual pursuits widely understood (from religion to meditation); and in community activism. Reference is not to a culture that favors an austere life but one in which one's consumption is capped at a level at which true needs are fully sated but status goods are avoided -and are sated through one or more communitarian pursuits. (To flag the difference between an austere culture and the one just outlined, I refer to the latter one as a capping Society, one in which a person's quest for material goods is not minimized but bounded).2Such a Society will be much less taxing on the environment, and much more sustainable, than the Affluent Society. This is the case because transcendental activities require relatively few scarce resources, fossil fuels, or other sources of physical energy. Social activities (such as spending more time with one's children) require time and personal energy but not large material or financial outlays. (Often those who spend large amounts of money on their kids' toys or entertainment bond less with them than those whose relations are less mediated by objects.) The same holds for cultural and spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, enjoying and making music, art, sports, and adult education. True, consumerism has turned many of these pursuits into expensive endeavors. However, one can break out of this mentality and find that it is possible to engage in most transcendental activities quite profoundly using a moderate amount of goods and services. One does not need designer clothes to enjoy the sunset or shoes with fancy labels to benefit from a hike. The Lord does not listen better to prayers read from a leather-bound Bible than to those read from a plain one, printed on recycled paper. In short, the transcendental Society is much more sustainable than consumer capitalism.RELEVANCE FOR ATTAINING A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER LEVEL OF SOCIAL JUSTICEMuch less obvious are the ways the capped culture serves social justice. …

  • the post Affluent Society
    Social Science Research Network, 2004
    Co-Authors: Amitai Etzioni
    Abstract:

    Discomfort about the overarching goal of capitalist economies, and the idea that achieving ever higher levels of consumption of products and services is a vacuous goal, has been with us since the onset of industrialization. This contribution looks at the phenomenon and foundations of voluntary simplicity. Its psychological implications and consequences for societies are discussed

FE E. Trainer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Can renewable energy sources sustain Affluent Society?
    Energy Policy, 1995
    Co-Authors: FE E. Trainer
    Abstract:

    Figures commonly quoted on costs of generating energy from renewable sources can give the impression that it will be possible to switch to renewables as the foundation for the continuation of industrial societies with high material living standards. Although renewable energy must be the sole source in a sustainable Society, major difficulties become evident when conversions, storage and supply for high latitudes are considered. It is concluded that renewable energy sources will not be able to sustain present rich world levels of energy use and that a sustainable world order must be based on acceptance of much lower per capita levels of energy use, much lower living standards and a zero growth economy. © 1995.

Arne Oshaug - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • high sugar consumption and poor nutrient intake among drug addicts in oslo norway
    British Journal of Nutrition, 2011
    Co-Authors: M Saeland, Margareta Haugen, F L Eriksen, Margareta Wandel, A Smehaugen, Thomas Bohmer, Arne Oshaug
    Abstract:

    Poor dietary habits among drug addicts represent health hazards. However, very few studies have focused on dietary intake as an independent health risk factor in relation to this group. The objective of the present study was to examine the dietary habits of drug addicts living on the fringes of an Affluent Society. The study focused on food access, food preferences, intake of energy and nutrients, and related nutrient blood concentrations. The respondent group consisted of 123 male and seventy-two female drug addicts, who participated in a cross-sectional study that included a 24 h dietary recall, blood samples, anthropometrical measurements and a semi-structured interview concerning food access and preferences. Daily energy intake varied from 0 to 37 MJ. Food received from charitable sources and friends/family had a higher nutrient density than food bought by the respondents. Added sugar accounted for 30 % of the energy intake, which was mirrored in biomarkers. Sugar and sugar-sweetened food items were preferred by 61 % of the respondents. Of the respondents, 32 % had a TAG concentration above the reference values, while 35 % had a cholesterol concentration beneath the reference values. An elevated serum Cu concentration indicated inflammation among the respondents. Further research on problems related to the diets of drug addicts should focus on dietary habits and aim to uncover connections that may reinforce inebriation and addiction.

Pettersen, Ida Nilstad - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Limiting consumption: leverage points from alternative consumption
    'Glucksman Library University of Limerick', 2021
    Co-Authors: Ortega Alvarado, Isaac Arturo, Pettersen, Ida Nilstad
    Abstract:

    non-peer-reviewedThe aim of this paper is to extend and articulate an understanding of reduction and limits to consumption as a pathway for achieving resource use within planetary limits. We inquire about leverage points to limit consumption. Our units of analysis are initiatives based on practices of alternative consumption. The context for the study is Norway, an Affluent Society, and the examples are from the city of Trondheim. We enquire with the research question “which aspects of these initiatives could be leverage points for the establishment of consumption limits in everyday life?” We frame alternative consumption as consumption that refrains from mainstream and normalized forms of product acquisition, use, and discarding. Consequently, we frame limiting consumption as a political project that could help in avoiding unnecessary production and waste, which requires changes in the interlinking between materials, meanings and competences. We analyze 11 examples from the data available and propose three leverage points. 1) Technical knowledge and skills—social learning. 2) Motivation—environment, money savings, and community. 3) Social acceptance—transgression. These are three aspects that could aid in bringing about change across multiple social practices. We link these three aspects to the meanings and competences and to the appropriation of production. Autonomy in defining consumption limits could result from a reappropriation of production as part of participation in social practices

  • Limiting consumption: leverage points from alternative consumption
    2021
    Co-Authors: Ortega Alvarado, Isaac Arturo, Pettersen, Ida Nilstad
    Abstract:

    The aim of this paper is to extend and articulate an understanding of reduction and limits to consumption as a pathway for achieving resource use within planetary limits. We inquire about leverage points to limit consumption. Our units of analysis are initiatives based on practices of alternative consumption. The context for the study is Norway, an Affluent Society, and the examples are from the city of Trondheim. We enquire with the research question “which aspects of these initiatives could be leverage points for the establishment of consumption limits in everyday life?” We frame alternative consumption as consumption that refrains from mainstream and normalized forms of product acquisition, use, and discarding. Consequently, we frame limiting consumption as a political project that could help in avoiding unnecessary production and waste, which requires changes in the interlinking between materials, meanings and competences. We analyze 11 examples from the data available and propose three leverage points. 1) Technical knowledge and skills—social learning. 2) Motivation—environment, money savings, and community. 3) Social acceptance—transgression. These are three aspects that could aid in bringing about change across multiple social practices. We link these three aspects to the meanings and competences and to the appropriation of production. Autonomy in defining consumption limits could result from a reappropriation of production as part of participation in social practices

Peter Kojo Brenya - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • knowledge of complications of diabetes mellitus among patients visiting the diabetes clinic at sampa government hospital ghana a descriptive study
    BMC Public Health, 2016
    Co-Authors: Yaa Obirikorang, Christian Obirikorang, Enoch Odame Anto, Emmanuel Acheampong, Emmanuella Nsenbah Batu, Agyemang Duah Stella, Omerige Constance, Peter Kojo Brenya
    Abstract:

    Diabetes mellitus (DM) appears to be a global epidemic and an increasingly major non-communicable disease threatening both Affluent and non-Affluent Society. The study aimed to determine the knowledge of diabetic complications among diabetes mellitus clients visiting the Diabetic Clinical at Sampa Government Hospital, Ghana. This questionnaire-based descriptive study recruited a total 630 patients visiting the Diabetes Clinic at the Sampa Government Hospital. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information such as socio-demographic and knowledge on complications of diabetes. Out of a total of 630 participants, 325 (51.5 %) knew diabetic foot as the most common complication followed by hypertension 223(35.4 %), neuropathy 184 (29.2 %), hypoactive sexual arousal 160(25.4 %), arousal disorder 135(21.5 %), eye diseases 112(17.7 %), heart disease 58(9.2 %), and renal disease 34(5.4 %). Comprehensive assessment of level of knowledge on the complications showed that majority 378(60.0 %) of T2D patients did not have knowledge on diabetes complications, 169(26.9 %) had inadequate knowledge on diabetics complication while 82(13.1 %) had adequate knowledge. The risk factors associated with the level of knowledge of diabetic complications were female gender adjusted odd ratio (AOR) =2.31 (1.56–3.41) married participants AOR = 3.37 (1.44–7.93), widowed AOR = 2.98 (1.10–8.08), basic level of education AOR =0.18 (0.082–0.50), Junior High School (JHS) and above of education level AOR = 0.035(0.017–0.75), 5–9 years of T2D duration AOR = 0.31(0.018–0.57), ≥10 years T2D duration AOR = 0.042 (0.02–0.10) and urban dwellers AOR = 0.36 (0.22–0.68) respectively. Participants knew the individual complication of diabetic mellitus but lack an in-depth knowledge on the complications. Further expansion of diabetic educative programs like using mass media and involving national curriculum of education can improve self-regulatory awareness of diabetic complications which may reduce the morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients.