Beyond Apologies : Defining and Achieving an Economics of Wellbeing

By Efroymson, Debra Ann

Book Id: WPLBN0003971991
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 2.28 MB
Reproduction Date: 04/13/2015

Title:	Beyond Apologies : Defining and Achieving an Economics of Wellbeing
Author:	Efroymson, Debra Ann
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non-Fiction, Political Science, Economics of Wellbeing
Collections:	Authors Community, Politics
Historic Publication Date:	2015
Publisher:	Institute of Wellbeing Bangladesh

Member Page:	Debra Efroymson
Citation APA MLA Chicago Ann Efroymson, B. D. (2015). Beyond Apologies : Defining and Achieving an Economics of Wellbeing. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
Beyond Apologies presents a number of myths about mainstream economics and clarifies their focus on consumption rather than on wellbeing. Each myth is followed by a discussion of a different way of addressing the issue. The book then presents various practical ways of remedying the situation. Topics covered include GDP, economic growth, microcredit, aid, and the Bretton Woods Organizations (the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organisation). The book is intended for an international audience. Though filled with references, the book is written in a friendly and accessible rather than academic style, aimed at activists, NGO professionals, and others concerned about the poor, the disadvantaged, the environment, and the preservation of our resource base.

Summary
What if rather than blindly follow what the media and typical economics books tell us about economics, we learned to question much “common knowledge” and to work towards something better? What if we refused to accept that economic growth as measured by GDP is the highest form of achievement, and insisted instead on a focus on wellbeing? By busting existing myths about economics, presenting better alternatives, and working for change, we can indeed achieve a better world. Beyond Apologies shows us how!

Excerpt
Society cannot get to a better place without looking at what is holding it back. Conventional beliefs about economics limit people to a few discourses and solutions that, rather than resolve problems, increase their magnitude. It is thus critically important to identify some widely accepted myths that underlie current economic discourse and to offer a more helpful and hopeful way of looking at the issues. Being free from dominant myths can lead to exciting new possibilities.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: Why It Is Important To Learn About Economics PART I. ECONOMICS REVISITED: What we’ve always known about economics may not be so MYTH #1: The World’s Poor Just Need a Few More Dollars Per Day MYTH #2: GNP/GDP Tell Us How Well Everyone is Doing MYTH #3: Economic Growth is Necessary to End Poverty MYTH #4: The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization Seek Primarily to Alleviate Poverty MYTH #5: Aid Alone, or Aid as Currently Practiced, Significantly Reduces Poverty MYTH #6: Microcredit & Income Generation are Miracle Cures for Poverty MYTH #7: Inequality is Inevitable and is Less of a Problem than Poverty MYTH #8: Mainstream Economists Want Governments to Play Only a Minimal Role in the Economy MYTH #9: Whatever Governments Do, the Private Sector Can Do Better MYTH #10: When Corporations Prosper, Everyone Prospers MYTH # 11: Countries Should Get Rich First, Then Worry about Health and the Environment MYTH #12: The Mass Media Provides Unbiased Reporting on Economics MYTH #13: Greed is Good PART II. Achieving an economics of wellbeing