Module 3: Building a narrative for a wellbeing economy
“The difficulty lies, not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones, which ramify, for those brought up as most of us have been, into every corner of our minds.”
— John Maynard Keynes, Economist
The case for a wellbeing economy can be made from a variety of angles, as different arguments will be persuasive to different audiences. Given its broad appeal, different characteristics of a wellbeing economy, such as economic localisation, building resilience, or investing in social and ecological wellbeing, can speak to different types of stakeholders.
Different cases for a wellbeing economy
A values-based case emphasises how a wellbeing economy approach is the right thing to do from a perspective of existing values such as human rights, being good ancestors, and principles of solidarity.
An existential case highlights the urgency of environmental breakdown and the need to act now.
A democratic case speaks to the groundswell of public opinion in favour of an economy that works for people and the planet, based on the outcomes of public opinion polls, deliberative dialogues, citizen assemblies, and so on.
A fiscal case stresses the inefficiency of a ‘growth-first-then-clean-up-and-redistribute-later’ approach and the high costs of 'failure demand' (see Module 2.3).
An early investment or economic resilience case highlights how investing in the health of people, societies, and the environment now, will strengthen the resilience of societies and economies going forward.
A visionary case emphasises the opportunities for creating thriving economies that prioritise social and ecological wellbeing and showcases the initiatives that are working towards this aim to provide inspiration for what the future can look like.
Drawing on your experience and current context, find wellbeing economy language that resonates with a broad range of stakeholders. Evidence is vital for understanding current crises, gauging public opinion, and envisioning alternative futures. At the same time, sharing your personal journey – your excitements and challenges – fosters constructive, open conversations, connecting with others more deeply than through facts and figures alone.
Share your thoughts
What kind of case for a wellbeing economy works best for stakeholders in your local context?
