What Really Counts: The Case for a Sustainable and Equitable Economy - Couverture rigide

Colman, Ronald

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0231190980 ISBN 13 : 9780231190985

Editeur : Columbia University Press, 2022

Synopsis

Politicians and economists fixate on "growing the economy"--measured by a country's gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. What we measure is a choice, and what is and isn't counted determines what sorts of policies are enacted. How can we shift the focus to well-being and quality of life?

What Really Counts is an essential, firsthand story of the promise and challenges of accounting for social, economic, and environmental benefits and costs. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures that more accurately and comprehensively assess true progress. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to lay the foundations of a new economic system, and the obstacles that stand in the way. Reflecting on successes and failures, he considers how to shift policy priorities from a narrow economic-growth agenda toward a future built on sustainability and equity.

Colman has taken the critique of GDP outside the academy and attempted to realize an alternative. The lessons he offers in What Really Counts are vital for anyone interested in how we can measure what matters--and how better measures can help build a better world.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

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Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Columbia University Press
• Date d'édition: 2022
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0231190980
• ISBN 13: 9780231190985
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 376
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible