A World of Three Zeros: The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions

As an African American woman economist who has been interested in issues related to class and income for decades, Professor Muhammad Yunus new work on poverty, unemployment and sustainability is compelling, inspiring, and energizing. The book starts with facts on worldwide dysfunctions on the distribution of wealth created by the flaw that the majority of human beings are job seekers thus providing labor for the few job creators. Yunus's bold treatise states the reverse; he believes every human being is capable of becoming an entrepreneur with appropriate infrastructures, support systems, and governance. In several of his other works, Professor Yunus introduces the social business which purpose is to solve a social problem while yet operating as a business. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate describes his journey in economic system experimentation with the Grameen Bank, subsidiaries, and industries that produced sustainable change in Bangladesh. From the success of the Grameen experience, global change has evolved in both developing and developed countries. While citing evidence that youth reject the status quo of capitalism, Yunus believes that the youth will be one of three "mega -powers" to transform society. The remaining two "mega powers" are technology and good governance. He passionately states, "I want to expand the system by replacing today's optionless one-size fits all business world with a world that provides two types of businesses for people to chose from. . . traditional, profit-maximizing businesses and social businesses that aim to maximize the benefits created for all human beings. . . and I want to expand our career options by recognizing that all can be entrepreneurs creating their own work opportunities rather than relying on someone else. . ." In 261 pages Yunus presents capitalism as flawed -- but not hopeless-- with opportunities to innovate and sustain a better place to live; he discusses Adam Smith’s invisible hand and alleges that it has eluded the poor. Yunus cites twice in the book that the eight richest men in the world own more than half of the world’s wealth. On re-structuring the distribution of global wealth he uses Mark Zuckerberg's example of gifting much of his wealth to contribute to a changed world for his daughter. In the final and concluding pages of the book, Yunus discusses how each of us can be authors and promoters of change. Whether you are interested in economics, entrepreneurship, or micro-finance, Yunus’s book is thought provoking and a must read for those interested in poverty and income redistribution. #economics #poverty #entrepreneurship #micro-finance #innovation # leadership #wealth #income-redistribution #entrepreneur #self-employment #employment # labor #women #minority #business #social business

For anyone who wishes to do something more with their lives, who want to help their fellow mankind and have a positive impact on their community then this is the book for you. Yunus’ arguments for zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon seem especially poignant in today’s context while the world is reeling from the impacts of COVID 19. It’s not just about being optimistic and idealistic about humankind - Yunus provides actual real examples of the selflessness of humans (along with the selfishness) to prove that as multidimensional beings we can do more good to solve the worlds problems together, if we just open our eyes, clear our heads from what’s normally consumed via mass media, and really take a good long look at ourselves, what our purposes and potentials really are as humans and the amazing social work that is being done already (but still not enough). I highly highly recommend this book for anyone who cares about actually doing something about the causes they care about even if it local or small to begin with.

Excellent book; quite easy to understand the concept. Sincerely hope we would be able to see a world free of poverty, unemployment and carbon emission.

Based on a career of selfless service that works, Mohammad Yunus provides concrete evidence that based solely on trust, we can finance the undoing of poverty, unemployment, and climate change. He provides a critical framework for establishing capitalism based on all our common virtues: not just ambition for profit, but also eagerness to help others and solve problems without expecting anything more than what we need to maintain a basic standard of living. This is not mere theory; Yunus has done it. His Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2006, confirms this. This new capitalism, which capitalizes on our human desire to help others altruistically, has, can, and will change the world economy.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is presenting ideas that are a cure for the millions of unemployed youths around the world. The capitalist paradigm now that people only work hard at tasks when rewarded with money is a false assumption. Otherwise, why would they do Sudoko puzzles, play Monopoly, and do crossword puzzles? Yunus points out that expecting all of us to grow up, go in debt to get educated, and then find a job does nothing more than increase the wealth gap so prevalent around the world. In this view, those who don't get a job are failures who must rely on unemployment insurance and welfare to live. The alternative view proposed by Yunus in what he calls "social capitalism"--not socialism because yunus is an ardent capitalist but he believes people have many motivations beyond money to be entrepreneurial. By setting up policies that open banking services to poor people and by providing education/mentoring in sound business practices, he demonstrates projects around the world that are turning poor places into hot beds of economic activity that actually meets the needs of the people living in those places. All businesses must be self-sustaining in the yunus model and cannot rely on charitable donations for their ongoing activities. Yunus gives many examples from projects around the world. Others would call this model a sustainable business model. If the Yunus model were adopted widely, huge corporations could not use their influence to bend government policy to their own economic benefit while providing minimal jobs and well being for common people. I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you have a problem finding a job!

Already knew most of his ideas. Not really anything new about this book.

Un altro grande libro del Nobel Yunus che fa proposte concrete e fattibili per riformare il capitalismo in modo da attenuare l’enorme sproporzione di ricchezza che c’è fra chi ha e chi non ha. Il social business da lui inventato consente questa cosa, con una nuova tipologia di aziende che hanno come scopo il risolvere un problema sociale e non invece far diventare sempre più ricche persone che già lo sono a sufficienza.

Definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It is so complete. I am eager to read his other books

Some books appear as an off shoot of research work undertaken by students, some are produced as a result of some project work and some are produced simply because the author is interested in writing a book and getting it published. But there are certain rare books which appear as a challenge to existing concepts, beliefs and theories and propose alternative theories on concrete evidence but such original research works appear once in a while. This heart touching and thought provoking deeply interesting work is one such rare publication. The unique manner in which the author demolishes the 'selfish economic man theory', which had dominated the discussions for long time in the field of economics, is amazing. He does it with credible evidence and that is the high repayment rate in micro finance business in different parts of the world from a developing country like Bangladesh to a rich and developed country like France. His emphasis on the concept of economic man being 'trustworthy and hardworking' is an original contribution to the field of modern economics. An outstanding work which should not be missed if someone is looking out for novelty, authenticity and miracles.

Tout ce que dit Muhammad Yunus semble facile à mettre en application et ce qui est encore plus étonnant est qu’il le démontre par la pratique. Parce qu’enfin, rien ne prédisposait un professeur d’économie à créer une banque comme la Grameen qui tire les pauvres de l’extrême misère et qui ne fait pas faillite… Je sais bien que certains économistes au petit pied critiquent l’œuvre de Muhammad Yunus, mais en attendant, il a été le premier à réussir à faire entrer les plus pauvres dans le circuit économique. Dans ce livre, il étend son combat contre la pauvreté à celui contre le chômage (ce qui va de soi où devrait aller de soi) et contre les émissions de CO2 (ce qui va moins de soi). Tels sont les trois zéros du titre et une fois de plus il relate par l’exemple comment c’est possible. Muhammad Yunus est un nom qui nous réconcilie avec une actualité souvent désespérante.

Although he doesn't say it specifically Yunus is for a world that favours businesses that solve human problems rather than those who have profit as their purpose. I'm certainly in favour of such a world. I agree with the author that the world is in serious crisis and that capitalism is the root of the crisis. This book offers many quickly doable solutions.