What really counts : the case for a sustainable and equitable economy / Ronald Colman.

By: Colman, Ronald [author.]
Language: English Publisher: New York : Columbia University Press, [2021]Description: 1 online resourceContent type: text Media type: computer Carrier type: online resourceISBN: 9780231549189Subject(s): Sustainable development -- Government policy | Economic development -- Environmental aspects | Economic policy | EqualityGenre/Form: Electronic books.Additional physical formats: Print version:: What really countsDDC classification: 338.9/27 LOC classification: HC79.E5Online resources: Full text available at Ebscohost Click here to view
Contents:
The magic number -- Counting what matters -- A Nova Scotia start -- The new measures in action -- Scaling up -- Challenges behind the scenes -- Genuine progress meets politics -- A New Zealand interlude -- Invitation to Bhutan -- (Mis)measuring gross national happiness -- Educating for gross national happiness -- The gap between words and action -- A "new economic paradigm" for the world -- Can genuine progress really happen? -- Forging a new economy.
Summary: "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. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures capable of quantifying factors that GDP overlooks. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to see alternatives realized, and the obstacles that stand in the way of implementing new systems. 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"-- Provided by publisher.
Tags from this library: No tags from this library for this title. Log in to add tags.
    Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)
Item type Current location Home library Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
EBOOK EBOOK COLLEGE LIBRARY
COLLEGE LIBRARY
338.9/27 (Browse shelf) Available
Total holds: 0

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The magic number -- Counting what matters -- A Nova Scotia start -- The new measures in action -- Scaling up -- Challenges behind the scenes -- Genuine progress meets politics -- A New Zealand interlude -- Invitation to Bhutan -- (Mis)measuring gross national happiness -- Educating for gross national happiness -- The gap between words and action -- A "new economic paradigm" for the world -- Can genuine progress really happen? -- Forging a new economy.

"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. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures capable of quantifying factors that GDP overlooks. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to see alternatives realized, and the obstacles that stand in the way of implementing new systems. 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"-- Provided by publisher.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

There are no comments for this item.

to post a comment.