By Lorenzo Fioramonti
Economic growth is a constant mantra of politicians, economists and the media. Few understand what it is, but they love and follow it blindly. The reality is that since the global financial crisis, growth has vanished in the more industrialized economies and in the so-called developing countries. Politicians may be panicking, but is this really a bad thing? Using real-life examples and innovative research, acclaimed political economist Lorenzo Fioramonti lays bare society's perverse obsession with economic growth by showing its many flaws, paradoxes and inconsistencies. He argues that the pursuit of growth often results in more losses than gains and in damage, inequalities and conflicts. By breaking free from the growth mantra, we can build a better society that puts the well-being of all at its center. A well-being economy would have tremendous impact on everything we do, boosting small businesses and empowering citizens as the collective leaders of tomorrow. Wellbeing Economy is a manifesto for radical change in South Africa and beyond.
2 Min. Promo Film for the Book
Short Lecture by Lorenzo Fioramonti
A 7 minute talk by the author on the book:
Articles by the Author
- "Serving society rather than growth: Business in a wellbeing economy" - WE-Africa, 9 January 2018 (with Justine Braby)
- "Growth is dying as the silver bullet for success. Why this may be good thing" - The Conversation, 28 May 2017
- "Why capitalism wins. And how a simple accounting move can defeat it" - The Conversation, 9 October 2017
- "Well-being Economy: A Scenario for a Post-growth Horizontal Governance System" - The Next System Project, 3 November 2016
About Lorenzo Fioramonti
Lorenzo Fioramonti is Full Professor of Political Economy at the University of Pretoria (South Africa), where he directs the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation, and Deputy Project Leader of the Future Africa initiative. He is also Extraordinary Professor at the School of Public Leadership of the University of Stellenbosch, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social Investment of the University of Heidelberg and at the Hertie School of Governance (Germany) and Associate Fellow at the United Nations University. Since March 2018, he is also a Member of Parliament in Italy.