Frugality : rebalancing material and spiritual values in economic life

This books talks about the follow questions:

Why do we reintroduce frugality to economic life?

What are the spiritual resources that foster a frugal lifestyle?

What are the social and economic implications on a macro and micro level?

How can we connect frugality to more accepted ideas such as sustainability in business, ethical consumption or distributive justice?

What kinds of practices can realize and promote frugality today?

Fashioning a culture of diligence and thrift: Savings and frugality campaigns in Japan, 1900-1931

This chapter talks about why Japan launched a campaign to promote savings and to discourage consumption after their war. Hence in its aftermath the Japanese were low on their savings and their economy was affected. The campaign strove to augment national savings and encourage “diligence and thrift” throughout the country in order to strengthens the nation-state and boost household savings.

Here we are looking into how Japan’s efforts of promoting frugality impact its society and becomes a part of their culture.

EXPORTING THRIFT, OR THE MYTH OF “ASIAN VALUES”

Is being frugal part of “Asian Values”?

Is it part of a cultural trait embedded in their traditions?

In Confucian philosophy where they elaborated “hailed prudence and frugality, demanded sacrifice for future employment, and condemned parents who failed to provide for their offspring”.

This book compares the consumption between West and Asia. The different approaches in consumptions and the effects on their economies. It analyses and explains how the “asian values” – being thrifty- boosts their economic development.