Module 2: Why a wellbeing economy?
Congratulations on completing Module 2!
This module has described:
how we’ve become financially, politically and socially addicted to economic growth
why 21st century economics and policymaking need to prioritise sustainable and inclusive wellbeing
the difference between green and inclusive growth versus post-growth approaches
the value that a wellbeing economy approach offers to public policy.
Let's now move onto how we can all support the transition to a wellbeing economy. See you back soon in Module 3 on Leading from where you are and how this course can help you on your way.
In the meantime, we would love to hear your thoughts on Module 2 and any suggestions you might have to further improve it, in the End-of-Module survey.
Further reading
If you’d like to read more about Why a wellbeing economy?, have a look at the following resources:
Butt, A.P., Berkhout, E., Zaghbour, C.M., Bush, A., Verma, R., & Pheko, L.L. (2023). Radical Pathways Beyond GDP: Why and How We Need to Pursue Feminist and Decolonial Alternatives Urgently, London: Oxfam
CPD (2024). The Wellbeing Economy in Brief series, Part 10 How GDP is used.
Oxfam (2025). Takers, Not Makers. The unjust poverty and unearned wealth of colonialism.
Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st century economist. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Richardson, K., Steffen, W., Lucht, W. et al. (2023). Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries. Science Advances, 9 (37)
Vogel, J. & Hickel, J. (2023). Is green growth happening? An empirical analysis of achieved versus Paris-compliant CO2–GDP decoupling in high-income countries. The Lancet Planetary Health, 7