Doughnut Economics

planted: 09/08/2021last tended: 08/11/2024

A: book
Written by: Kate Raworth

I like the book. Combines alternative economics, systems thinking, care, feminism, environmentalism, some socialist ideas.

I very much like the idea of a regenerative and distributive economy. Not sure if she'd describe it as such, but it comes across fairly ecosocialist, with its dual concern for social equity and planetary boundaries. Though not explicitly anti-capitalist, it's anti neoliberal economics.

1. The Doughnut

I like how easily graspable as a visual rubric it is - don't let anyone go into the hole of the doughnut, i.e. have a baseline of equity for everyone, and don't go outside the outer edge - i.e. stay within planetary boundaries.

The bit in the middle, the doughnut, is a regenerative and distributive economy.

(CC-BY-SA 4.0 from File:Doughnut_(economic_model).jpg )

2. Ecological ceiling

Climate change
Ocean acidification
Chemical pollution
Nitrogen & phosphorous loading
Freshwater withdrawals
Land conversion
Biodiversity loss
Air pollution
Ozone layer depletion

i.e. the planetary boundaries.

3. Social foundation

Water
Food
Health
Education
Income & work
Peace & justice
Political voice
Social equity
Gender equality
Housing
Networks
Energy

I like the seven ways to think like a 21st century economist:

Change the Goal: Shift from GDP growth to thriving within the Doughnut's ecological and social boundaries
See the Big Picture: Recognize that economies are embedded within society and the environment.
Nurture Human Nature: Promote cooperative and caring behaviors over competitive ones.
Get Savvy with Systems: Understand economies as complex, interdependent systems.
Design to Distribute: Create distributive economies that address inequality.
Create to Regenerate: Transition from degenerative to regenerative economic practices.
Be Agnostic about Growth: Focus on thriving rather than perpetual growth.

4. Elsewhere

4.2. In the Agora

Anagora - Doughnut Economics