Book

Description

This book offers a comprehensive critical analysis of the intellectual journey and socio-economic vision of Jeremy Rifkin through twenty-one of his major works, spanning more than four decades of thought. From Own Your Own Job to Planet Aqua, the study explores Rifkin’s evolving interpretation of capitalism, technology, labor, ecology, energy systems, globalization, and human consciousness. The book demonstrates how Rifkin consistently anticipated many of the defining transformations of the modern world: automation and the decline of traditional labor, the rise of biotechnology and genetic engineering, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the emergence of collaborative digital networks, and the growing ecological crisis threatening planetary stability. By examining each text within its historical and philosophical context, the study reveals the coherence of Rifkin’s broader worldview — one grounded in the interdependence of economy, culture, science, and the biosphere. Special attention is given to Rifkin’s key concepts, including entropy economics, the hydrogen economy, the Third Industrial Revolution, zero marginal cost society, empathic consciousness, resilience, and the ecological restructuring of civilization. The analysis also investigates his critique of hyper-capitalism and consumer culture, as well as his proposals for decentralized energy systems, collaborative commons, green infrastructure, and sustainable development. The work evaluates Rifkin’s predictive accuracy, intellectual influences, and global impact on public policy, environmental discourse, and future-oriented economic thinking, particularly in Europe and international sustainability debates. It argues that Rifkin should be understood not merely as a futurist, but as a major thinker whose writings form a continuous narrative about humanity’s transition from industrial civilization toward a more ecological and cooperative era. Ultimately, this book provides readers, researchers, and policymakers with a structured guide to understanding Jeremy Rifkin’s enduring contribution to contemporary debates on technology, economy, climate, and the future of human civilization.