03595cam a2200469 i 4500 21730798 BJBSDDR 20241024151316.0 ta 200905s2021 nyua b 001 0 eng 2020028956 9780231190985 (hardback) 0231190980 (hardback) 9780231549189 (ebook) LBSOR/DLC eng rda DLC DLC eng pcc HC 79 C716w 2021 338.9/27 Colman, Ronald 38935 What really counts : the case for a sustainable and equitable economy / Ronald Colman. New York : Columbia University Press, 2021. x, 360 pages : illustration ; 24 cm text txt rdacontent unmediated n rdamedia volume nc rdacarrier Includes bibliographical references (pages 291-345) 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. Sustainable development Government policy. Desarrollo sostenible Política gubernamental 15165 Economic development Environmental aspects. Desarrollo económico Aspectos ambientales 9627 Economic policy. Política económica 309 Equality. Igualdad 269 Online version: Colman, Ronald. What really counts New York : Columbia University Press, 2021 9780231549189 (DLC) 2020028957 0 vip orignew 1 ecip 20 y-gencatlg lcc BK 122244 122244 0 0 lcc 0 0 CS BJB BJB CS 2024-10-16 0 HC 79 C716w 2021 00000128283 2024-10-16 00:00:00 1 2024-10-16 BK