I'm reading Tim Jackson's, Prosperity Without Growth, a report from the Commissioner of Economics in Surrey. One of the chapters in the report is dedicated to redefining the meaning of the word, 'prosperity.' Here's what it says in introducing this topic and it's relation to building a sustainable economy:
Redefining Prosperity
A more appropriate response is to question the underlying vision of a prosperity built on continual (economic) growth. And to search for alternative visions – in which humans can still flourish and yet reduce their material impact on the environment...
Prosperity has undeniable material dimensions. It’s perverse to talk about things going well where there is inadequate food and shelter (as is the case for billions in the developing world). But it is also plain to see that the simple equation of quantity with quality, of more with better, is false in general.
When you’ve had no food for months and the harvest has failed again, any food at all is a blessing. When the American-style fridge freezer is already stuffed with overwhelming choice, even a little extra might be considered a burden, particularly if you’re tempted to eat it.
An even stronger finding is that the requirements of prosperity go way beyond material sustenance. Prosperity has vital social and psychological dimensions. To do well is in part about the ability to give and receive love, to enjoy the respect of your peers, to contribute useful work, and to have a sense of belonging and trust in the community. In short, an important component of prosperity is the ability to participate meaningfully in the life of society.
This view of prosperity has much in common with Amartya Sen’s vision of development as ‘capabilities for flourishing’. But that vision needs to be interpreted carefully: not as a set of disembodied freedoms, but as a range of ‘bounded capabilities’ to live well – within certain clearly defined limits.
- Tim Jackson, Prosperity Without Growth, Pg. 7 (A report on the transition to a sustainable economy)
A more appropriate response is to question the underlying vision of a prosperity built on continual (economic) growth. And to search for alternative visions – in which humans can still flourish and yet reduce their material impact on the environment...
Prosperity has undeniable material dimensions. It’s perverse to talk about things going well where there is inadequate food and shelter (as is the case for billions in the developing world). But it is also plain to see that the simple equation of quantity with quality, of more with better, is false in general.
When you’ve had no food for months and the harvest has failed again, any food at all is a blessing. When the American-style fridge freezer is already stuffed with overwhelming choice, even a little extra might be considered a burden, particularly if you’re tempted to eat it.
An even stronger finding is that the requirements of prosperity go way beyond material sustenance. Prosperity has vital social and psychological dimensions. To do well is in part about the ability to give and receive love, to enjoy the respect of your peers, to contribute useful work, and to have a sense of belonging and trust in the community. In short, an important component of prosperity is the ability to participate meaningfully in the life of society.
This view of prosperity has much in common with Amartya Sen’s vision of development as ‘capabilities for flourishing’. But that vision needs to be interpreted carefully: not as a set of disembodied freedoms, but as a range of ‘bounded capabilities’ to live well – within certain clearly defined limits.
A fair and lasting prosperity cannot be isolated
from these material conditions. Capabilities are
bounded on the one hand by the scale of the global
population and on the other by the finite ecology
of the planet. To ignore these natural bounds to
flourishing is to condemn our descendents – and our
fellow creatures – to an impoverished planet.
Conversely, the possibility that humans can
flourish and at the same time consume less is an
intriguing one. It would be foolish to think that it
is easy to achieve. But it should not be given up
lightly. It offers the best prospect we have for a
lasting prosperity. - Tim Jackson, Prosperity Without Growth, Pg. 7 (A report on the transition to a sustainable economy)