Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Generation Hope: How Inclusive Economics Can Help Us All Thrive

Rate this book
"A generation of hope is what we need urgently. Here is a book helping ensure the next one proves precisely that." Yanis Varoufakis, author of Technofuedalism and Another Now

"A beautifully powerful call, humbly told, to turn your attention to the greater good."Derek Sivers, author of Anything You Want and Hell Yeah or No



It has become Our current economic system is broken. Growth at all costs is unsustainable.

It's easy to get discouraged when faced with the reality of the current climate crisis, economic instability, and the vast income inequality across the globe. It's obvious that our trajectory is aimed toward destruction. But is it possible to make adjustments to that path, and if so, who's going to lead us?

Generation Hope answers these questions, first by exploring the historical, political, economic, and cultural foundations that got us where we are today, and then delving into what it’s going to take to ensure that we are headed toward a sustainable future that benefits us all. Written in clear and compelling prose, the book addresses a wide range of today’s most pressing economic issues, from the macroeconomic challenges that humanity collectively faces, to our personal engagement with our current economic system. You will read illuminating and inspiring examples of people, organizations, companies, and governments that are already doing the work of building inclusive economic systems that serve all of humanity and this planet we call home.

The responsibility for making these changes rests upon our generation. This book shows us that by doing the following, we have the potential to create meaningful impact and contribute to a more positive and sustainable

• Acknowledge that change begins within ourselves.
• Understand that our collective efforts can shape a new narrative for our economic and social systems.
• Adopt a mindset of abundance.
• Raise our consciousness.
• Foster community.
• Advocate for inclusive economics.

Little by little, our consciousness is already shifting, especially among millennials and younger generations. This book illustrates how to continue moving from a mindset of scarcity and survival to one of abundance and thriving, from narrow-minded self-interest to an awareness that we are part of a much larger interconnected whole.

The world needs us. Together, we can save our planet and help humanity thrive.

Together, we are Generation Hope.

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2024

19 people are currently reading
161 people want to read

About the author

Arunjay Katakam

1 book1 follower
Arunjay is a former serial entrepreneur and recovering wealth-chaser, having realized in May 2020 that by wanting to be super rich, he was part of the problem.

Arunjay left a career in investment banking and has spent over a decade in international development, working with the GSMA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among other development agencies, to increase financial inclusion by pioneering the "Internet of Money" - an open, regulated, global payments inter-network to provide financial services to 8 billion people across 193 countries. In a previous life, he mentored over 20 inclusive fintech startups with DFS Lab and was a venture builder with Catalyst Fund. He diligently advocates for a zero-fee customer payment model in his first book, The Power of Micro Money Transfers. In 2020, Arunjay created the Inclusive Action Lab, a nonprofit that is incubating moonshot ideas focused on ending poverty for the last billion people by 2030.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
12 (50%)
4 stars
9 (37%)
3 stars
1 (4%)
2 stars
2 (8%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany.
1,100 reviews37 followers
Read
February 20, 2024
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this!

The moment we realize something is wrong, we have the chance to make a conscious choice about it. Awareness creates the opportunity; action determines whether we remain part of the problem (see: slavery, suffrage, the ozone layer).

I really wanted to enjoy this, as I loved the title and the premise of what the book aimed to do. However, I do think this is aimed towards those who are just starting out in their advocacy and altruism 101 journeys? I am not someone who believes anyone becomes an "expert" in this realm, and I fiercely believe our work is never done. That's the cost of privilege and true allyship.

However, I didn't particularly learn anything *new* in this book, and maybe that is a result of people needing such a low baseline in order to begin their journeys towards unlearning and trying to contribute towards a better world? I have no idea. In my own inner circle, I recognize that the majority of folks are still blissfully ignorant and refuse to contend with how they have power as one individual. So, I think this book would do well with those people in my life, so maybe I will buy them copies lol!

This alternative, often referred to as the third way*, suggests that we can make transformative changes by starting with ourselves and then expanding our impact to the broader community. It involves shifting our mindset from one of scarcity to abundance, embracing inclusivity, and fostering a sense of interconnectedness.
^^^I try my best to do this already, but it's super disheartening because a lot of people around me (IRL, not online - I have found so many passionate, incredible people online via bookstagram) simply do not care, or they gaslight me into thinking *I* have issues, not the world. I do have issues (um, don't we all?) but I don't think me wanting better for the world is an issue.... but okay. Anyway, I appreciate his hope and sentiments and I think these messages would land better with someone who hasn't been scorned by performative allies yet LOLLLLL

Katakam mentions that humanity is inherently selfish because it's part of our survival tactics, from our caveman days basically. I believe this, not only because science has proved it, but because I have the lived experience to see how selfish people (especially the already powerful) can be. I think others are selfish because it's a capitalistic hellscape to live here, and we sort of are *forced* to only look out for ourselves, since we are taught that this is a zero sum game, and we are all struggling. So, we turn against each other and blame each other, rather than the 26 billionaires that hold the entire world's majority of wealth.

Anyway, I know it sounds like I don't but I do recommend this - I recommend my friends to recommend this to their own inner circles, as I will, because my bookish friends do care deeply about these issues already, and I need more humans with attitudes and advocacy like them in the world! <3
Profile Image for Sarah Jensen.
2,092 reviews189 followers
July 1, 2025
Generation Hope: How Inclusive Economics Can Help Us All Thrive – A Visionary Blueprint for Systemic Change
Rating: 4.9/5

Arunjay Katakam’s Generation Hope is a galvanizing manifesto that marries economic theory with moral urgency, offering a roadmap from our current crisis toward an equitable, sustainable future. As someone deeply concerned about climate collapse and inequality but often overwhelmed by their scale, I found this book to be both intellectually invigorating and emotionally restorative—a rare combination in economic literature.

Why This Book Resonates
Katakam’s core thesis—that inclusive economics can reconcile prosperity with planetary survival—isn’t just theoretical; it’s actionable. The book excels in weaving macroeconomic analysis (e.g., critiques of GDP-driven growth) with grassroots success stories, proving alternatives already exist. His concept of shifting from scarcity to abundance mindsets struck a personal chord, reframing my own consumption habits as part of a larger systemic lever for change. The prose is accessible yet profound, avoiding academic jargon without sacrificing rigor—a feat that makes complex ideas like circular economics or stakeholder capitalism feel tangible.

Emotional Impact & Revelations
Reading Generation Hope felt like attending a masterclass in pragmatic optimism. Chapters on intergenerational responsibility stirred both guilt (How did we inherit this?) and resolve (What can I do?). Katakam’s emphasis on personal agency within collective action—highlighting how individual choices ripple through communities—left me energized rather than paralyzed by global problems. The case studies (e.g., regenerative businesses, policy innovations) functioned as beacons of possibility, countering the doomism pervasive in climate discourse.

Constructive Criticism
While Katakam’s holistic approach is commendable, the book occasionally glosses over implementation barriers. For instance, transitioning corporations from shareholder primacy to stakeholder models warrants deeper scrutiny of entrenched power structures. Additionally, a dedicated chapter on navigating political resistance to inclusive economics would strengthen the “how” alongside the “why.”

Final Verdict
Generation Hope is essential reading for economists, activists, and anyone yearning to align their values with their economic participation. It’s not a utopian fantasy but a clear-eyed call to co-create systems where humanity and the planet flourish.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Otterpine for the gifted copy. Katakam’s work is a rare blend of head and heart—the kind that lingers in your conscience long after reading. Pair it with a notebook and a commitment to act; this book demands both.

For fans of: Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth, The Value of Everything by Mariana Mazzucato, and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
331 reviews17 followers
April 29, 2024
Aranjay Katakum was born into a wealthy family, studied hard and forged a pathway into world of global finance, until one day, after many years of chasing the Gods of the modern world, money and wealth, he decided that enough was enough: there had to be a better, more sustainable and happier way to live.

In Generation Hope: How inclusive economics can help us all thrive, he looks at the salient points of history, economics, political and the cultural background of the Financial world of today, the world after COVID, the World that is now facing, in so many ways change, not just in regard to the climate but to the way we do and have done business for hundreds of years.

He sets out clearly, concisely and with a good sense of humility, the well-trodden pathway of societal abuse that sees the rich get richer and the poor steadily grow poorer, holding less hope than that of many years ago, that one day they too can be a little richer.

Not a light read, but one that is full of hope Katakum explains how this situation has been allowed to grow and prosper, which incidentally is not at all accidental, and looks at the many ways that are now slowly emerging, creating vastly different ways for more sustainable, honest and far more equitable ways of doing business.

Gen X, as he often refers to the generation that are taking to task the traditional ways of wealth creation, is now seeing a slow swell of community minded companies and corporations begin to blossom and grow.

In many ways the two defining years of COVID highlighted the massive social differences that occurred over this frustrating and disruptive time. While the workers and very small enterprises slowly lost financial ground, the major companies and corporations seemed to gain ever more wealth.

The flow on effect was that many people reviewed how they went about achieving their goals thus creating a must needed beginning for change. As he succinctly says ‘little by little our consciousness is already shifting, especially among millennials and younger generations’

It is with hope for brighter, far more hopeful future, he sends out what could be a clarion call to change a traditional mindset of scarcity and survival, to one of abundance and thriving. A big ask, a tall order maybe, but one, with grit, determination and hope can succeed and definitely make the future a better far more kind, aware and far better place to live.

There is an excellent section at the Conclusion of the book with further details on Groups and Foundation that can assist you on your journey towards establishing an equitable, community based Company or business based on wholistic principals.

This book is also available for free download.
Profile Image for Siobhain.
1,004 reviews37 followers
February 29, 2024
Generation Hope I firmly believe should be standard reading on school syllabuses because while it may be a difficult read, depending on age, it is most definitely one the current and next generation needs to have. As someone who is already left-leaning, probably mostly socialists and a humanist I like to believe I have begun to put some of the topics covered by Katakam into action.

While the topic might be considered heavy to some, Katakam’s writing is engaging and easy to follow along. I will be the first to say I was worried that this book would be upsetting if not downright depressing when we look at how some people with wealth and power treat those without and ultimately the planet as well but I was actually comforted by the examples we get of people, organizations, companies and even governments already taking steps towards inclusive economies.

Katakam also offers easy steps to begin to take for those who may not already be concerned or at least trying. For those of us who are trying you will also find helpful information and guidance to further your journey.

I started by saying this should be in every school but I also encourage everyone, regardless of age, who cares about the planet and humanity to buy and read a copy. That may sound dramatic but this is the right step for the future and one that we really should all be taking. The main thing that I took away, and that I loved most of all, is how Katakam focuses and reinforces that even one person can start or help change and if enough people start then there is nothing stopping us.
Profile Image for L.
65 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2024
Generation Hope and the topic it represents resonates very strongly with me, as someone who is actively trying to make a change through activism and writing. I see so many people who are unhappy with how things are, but they simple accept it with a shrug and a "that's life" attitude and never make a conscious decision to change anything. Personally, I feel that unconscious acceptance is one of the biggest barrier to progression and change.

Honestly, I feel I cannot do this book justice with a short and simple review. It's an absolute gold-mine of information. Information that really reveals what our world is like - and how we got here. If you don't know this, I highly advise you read it and have your eyes opened. I truly believe that Generation Hope is a book which should be given to every person as soon as they can read - perhaps even a book to be given at birth. Before we go out in the world and get swallowed up into "the matrix".

I gained so much hope and perspective from reading this book, and I absolutely loved the stories and examples the author chose to include. The one which had the biggest impact on me was a simple "game" which showed just how far you can get in life with privilege, as a result of no personal contribution or actions on your behalf. Whilst you may not have been the smartest or the most capable, you were there ahead of others who never even got a chance.

This cycle of the wealthy elite and the privileged few running the world cannot continue. We have to consciously create change.

What might we become if we began to change now?
1 review
March 17, 2024

"Generation Hope: How Inclusive Economics Can Help Us All Thrive" by Arunjay Katakam is a refreshing take on understanding the complexities of our world without needing a specialised degree. Katakam's ability to provide relatable answers to significant questions in economics, politics, and international development is commendable. The book not only underscores the importance of collective humanity but also ignites a sense of empowerment for readers to initiate change.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility, as Katakam effortlessly navigates through various topics like home ownership, financial literacy, and remote working, offering profound insights into economic and political ideologies. Through personal anecdotes and references to pop culture, such as Money Heist and Taylor Swift, Katakam effectively demystifies intricate concepts, making them relatable to readers of all backgrounds.

One of the most thought-provoking discussions in the book is found within the chapter 'normalised gambling,' shedding light on the intricate dynamics of money mindset, financial education, and greed. This serves as a wake-up call for readers to reassess their relationship with money and take responsibility for their actions.

Moreover, Katakam's emphasis on starting small to enact broader societal change resonates deeply, inspiring readers to become active participants in shaping a better future for all. By intertwining personal narratives with complex economic theories, the book is such a compelling narrative and acts as a motivation to join #GenHope.
Profile Image for Krystina.
263 reviews12 followers
March 9, 2024
So I wanted to read this book because it seemed like a really good way to understand the economic situation we currently find ourselves in, something which I often feel either goes straight over my head or leaves me feeling like I'm stupid. I've definitely come away from reading this having taken in a good chunk of the book but I think it is the kind of book that requires multiple readings to take it all in, and my second reading will be the sections that I felt I didn't quite take in for whatever reason. It is a very heavy subject and even though Arunjay has definitely made it more accessible with his writing style it is a dense subject to tackle. But I didn't feel like I needed a degree in economics to understand it, I actually for once with this subject matter I didn't come away feeling stupid. It definitely broadened my mind when it comes to this subject and I think with another read I'll come away feeling confident in it.
As I said Arunjay's writing style is so accessible and he's broken a difficult subject into easy-to-digest sections, which means you can easily pick out the parts you want to find out more about.
Profile Image for Nicola Malloch.
620 reviews9 followers
March 14, 2024
🌤14th March 2024🌤

📚PR book tour📚

Arunjay Katakam - Generation Hope how inclusive economics can help us all thrive

Thank you so much Arunjay Katakam and Literally PR for gifting us a paperback copy of 'Generation Hope' in exchange for an honest review.

I don't read alot of nonfiction however this one really appealed to me, I am a number geek and the current economy seems almost everyone is struggling so given the chance to deep dive into it was really appealing. I found the numbers in this book shocking but seeing how millennials are viewing the bigger picture and hope that aiding others will also create a better world for us all to live in is one I can get behind. Overall I found this book really fascinating and opened my mind to a different view.

QOTD - Do you read nonfiction?

#freereview #giftedbook #gifted #adpr
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.