Why doesn’t it work?
We are living in a world with an unbelievably fast pace that does not let us think of what we are doing. We are building thousands of gigantic towers and factories, we are expanding our industries, developing our infrastructure and increasing our global competitiveness. Our economy is getting greater in statistics and numbers, but, do we really feel better-off? Do people in Britain and other developed/developing countries feel that their lives have transformed positively?
Every year we see politicians on TV and social media, arguing that the economy has improved since they have come to power, but are these improvements seeable in reality?
The trigger fired just after watching a lecture in which Kate Raworth lambasted the notion of economic growth and production expansion. “Why do we grow the economy?” she said. The answer may not be very straight-forward given that academics each have their own reason. One argues it’s because if we do not grow, we should de-grow which is unstable and devastating in nature for the whole society. The other points out it’s because in reality we need to pay back debts and fund pensions, education and NHS, so we have to keep it going. Kate however reminds something quite thought-provoking in this conversation: “If growth was for people, why are our citizens feeling worse financially and socially everday, not even the same?”. These are not only her words, there are statistics available showing the lower national standards. Nonetheless, we do not need stats too much. Gary Stevenson, writer of Trading Game always insists: “You don’t need data showing families are struggling, go and ask them how they feel!”
This is the main point. If we are trapped in a cycle of growth and are blindly continuing destroying our environment, increasing inequality and homelessness, how can we stop it somewhere to compensate issues caused in the meantime? We are all running to get more money, to attain a better life. Now, when are we going to literally live that “better life”? Even, the fact that you are reading this article means that you have an electronic device and are able to read! So many people cannot even realise this opportunity. What about them? Will we stand back and dream of a good future for them and for ourselves, or will we rethink of the meaning of economic growth and define it differently?
We started, knowing there must be a change and it should replace our messy economics very soon. Net Zero is just round the corner, and we are still sitting on the fence. We should take action and it’s possible only if we do it together. We are committed to research appropriately about probable solutions to get this bitter story, a good ending.