All My Friends Are Fictional’s Reviews > Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist > Status Update

„And, once you think about it, pursuing mission zero is an odd vision for an industrial revolution, as if intentionally stopping on the threshold of something far more transformative… Instead of aiming merely to 'do less bad', industrial design can aim to 'do more good' by continually replenishing, rather than more slowly depleting, the living world. Why simply take nothing when you could also give something?“

„The future can't be predicted, wrote Donella Meadows, but it can be envisioned and brought lovingly into being. Systems can't be controlled, but they can be designed and redesigned… We can listen to what the system tells us, and discover how its properties and our values can work together to bring forth something much better than can ever be produced by our will alone.“

One approach to economic gardening is to embrace evolution. [..] It's an approach [..] of natural selection, often summed up as diversify-select-amplify. Set up small-scale policy experiments to test out a variety of interventions, put a stop to the ones that don't work well, and scale up those that do. [..] No one knows for sure what will work, so it is important to build a system that can evolve and adapt rapidly?

„Today's economy is divisive and degenerative by default.
Tomorrow's economy must be distributive and regenerative by design.

An economy that is distributive by design is one whose dynamics tend to disperse and circulate value as it os created […]. An economy that is regenerative by design is one in which people become full participants in regenerating Earth's life-giving cycles […].“

„Economics: the twenty-first-century story […]

THE COMMONS, which are creative — so unleash their potential

THE STATE, which is essential — so make it accountable

FINANCE, which is in service — so make it serve society

BUSINESS, which is innovative — so give it purpose

TRADE, which is double-edged — so make it fair

POWER, which is pervasive — so check its abuse“

„Economics: the twenty-first-century story (in which we create a thriving balance)

Cast in order of appearance:

EARTH, which is life-giving — so respect its boundaries

SOCIETY, which is foundational — so nurture its connections

THE ECONOMY, which is diverse — so support all of its systems

THE HOUSEHOLD, which is core — so value its contribution

THE MARKET, which is powerful — so embed it wisely“

„Economics: the twentieth-century neoliberal story (in which we go to the brink of collapse

Cast, in order of appearance:

THE MARKET, which is efficient — so give it free rein.

BUSINESS, which is innovative — so let it lead.

FINANCE, which is infallible — so trust in its ways.

TRADE, which is win-win — so open your borders.

THE STATE, which is incompetent — so don't let it meddle.“

„Economics: the twentieth-century neoliberal story (in which we go to the brink of collapse)

Other characters not required on stage:

THE HOUSEHOLD, which is domestic — so leave it to the women.

THE COMMONS, which are tragic — so sell them off.

SOCIETY, which is non-existent — so ignore it.

EARTH, which is inexhaustible — so take all you want.

POWER, which is irrelevant — so don't mention it.“

Economics: the twentieth-century neoliberal story (in which we go to the brink of collapse)
Cast, in order of appearance:
THE MARKET, which is efficient - so give it free rein.
BUSINESS, which is innovative - so let it lead.
FINANCE, which is infallible - so trust in its ways.
TRADE, which is win-win - so open your borders.
THE STATE, which is incompetent - so don't let it meddle.

[Doughnut]: These twelve basics include: sufficient food; clean water and decent sanitation; access to energy and clean cooking facilities; access to education and to healthcare; decent housing; a minimum income and decent work; and access to networks of information and to networks of social support. Furthermore, it calls for achieving these with gender equality, social equity, political voice, and peace and justice.