Jeremy Rifkin
American economic and social theorist, born 1945; wrote The End of Work.
At a glance
Main ideas
The end of work, The age of access, Third Industrial Revolution …
See all 4Criticism
Stephen Jay Gould
Books to start with
Entropy: A New World View, The End of Work, The Age of Access …
See all 5Connections
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Rifkin is an economic and social theorist, writer and activist who has written 23 books on how science and technology change the economy, society and the environment.
- He founded the Foundation on Economic Trends and has campaigned on genetic engineering, beef and climate.
- He is the main architect of the Third Industrial Revolution plan, endorsed by the European Parliament in 2007.
- He teaches in the Wharton School's executive education programme, which he joined in 1995.
Why it matters
- His books on automation, access and the green economy have shaped policy debates in Europe and China.
Key facts
- Born
- 26 Jan 1945, Denver, Colorado1
- Education
- BS in economics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1967); MA in international affairs, Fletcher School, Tufts (1968)1
- Founded
- The People's Bicentennial Commission (1970); the Foundation on Economic Trends, with Ted Howard (1977)1
- Teaching
- Wharton School executive education programme1
- Award
- Corine International Book Prize (2005) for The European Dream1
- Books
- 231
Main ideas
-
The end of work1
Information technology would eliminate tens of millions of jobs.
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The age of access1
Society moves from owning property to access to services, giving rise to the sharing economy.
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Third Industrial Revolution1
A plan joining renewable energy and new technology for sustainable growth.
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Against genetic risks1
He campaigned for labelling of genetically engineered food and against releases of altered organisms.
Criticism
-
Stephen Jay Gould1
Called Rifkin's Algeny (1984) "a cleverly constructed tract of anti-intellectual propaganda masquerading as scholarship".
Books to start with
The line under a date fills as it gets older: empty when new, full at 2 years.
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Entropy: A New World View1
Entropy applied to energy, economics and politics.
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The decline of the global labour force.
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The Age of Access1
From ownership to access.
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The European Dream1
Europe's vision against the American Dream.
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The Third Industrial Revolution1
How lateral power is transforming energy and the economy.
Connections
Writes
Links
Sources
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