Does growth of advanced economies lead to human development, i.e., the development of those capabilities that most distinguish human beings? Are improvements of well-being thus guaranteed?
The half-century decline of well-being (both subjective and objective) in the United States suggests a pessimistic stance, aggravated by the recent pandemic and war.
Well-being and Growth in Advanced Economies argues with theory and facts that economic growth can surprisingly bring ill-being to people because it erodes their Fundamental Human Development (FHD) when market forces are prioritised, with consequent self-defeating race to consumption, including some addiction to digital devices.
‘Human development’ is here formulated as ‘fundamental’ when it expands those capabilities, such as creativity and sociality, which have determined the evolutionary success of the human species.
The book concludes that prioritising FHD in individual and collective choices would guarantee improvements of well-being, and could shape economic growth as more socially and environmentally sustainable.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Summary
Prologue
Chapter 1. Economic growth and people’s well-being in advanced countries
Chapter 2. Human development and well-being
Chapter 3. Why growth in market economies can deteriorate human development and well-being
Chapter 4. Economic growth and human development: which priority in the post-pandemic era?
Epilogue
ISBN 9781032149059
July, 2022 Published by Routledge
124 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
For excerpts and commercial information, see the website of the publisher
For a review see: Journal of Economic Psychology, Vol 95, March 2023
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