Guy Standing

Guy Standing, author of 'The Politics of Time,' explores how society may be overly fixated on jobs. He critiques GDP as an inadequate economic measure, advocating for recognizing the value of caregiving and unpaid labor. The conversation delves into the pitfalls of rentier capitalism and the need for a comprehensive welfare system. Moreover, Standing proposes replacing charity with systems like Universal Basic Income to ensure economic security for all. He stresses the importance of meaningful engagement over mere job creation in a shifting economic landscape.

Guy Standing, an economist and scholar of the commons at SOAS University of London, talks about his new book, 'The Blue Commons: Transforming the Economy of the Sea'. He argues that overfishing and destructive deepsea mining are predictable results of 'rentier capitalism', the market/state system that privileges expansive property rights, financialization, and industrialized fishing practices. To help restore marine ecosystems and coastal fishing communities, Standing proposes a detailed 'Blue Commons' agenda that relies on commoning, commons-based legal regimes, and stakeholder trusts.