The little big number : how GDP came to rule the world and what to do about it / Dirk Philipsen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Philipsen, Dirk, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gross domestic product.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (411 p.)

Place of Publication:

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, [2015]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In one lifetime, GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, has ballooned from a narrow economic tool into a global article of faith. As The Little Big Number demonstrates, this spells trouble. While economies and cultures measure their performance by it, GDP only measures output. It ignores central facts such as quality, costs, or purpose. Sustainability and quality of life are overlooked. Losses don't count. The world can no longer afford GDP rule-GDP ignores real development. Dirk Philipsen demonstrates how the history of GDP reveals unique opportunities to fashion smarter goals and measures. The Little Big Number explores a possible roadmap for a future that advances quality of life rather than indiscriminate growth.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction. We Become What We Measure

1. More, Better, Faster: The Beginnings

2. The Origins of Bling: The Spirit of Economic Growth

3. The Crucible of Crisis: The Great Depression and the Need for Economic Indicators

4. Born from Disaster: The Making of a Key Measure

5. Forged in War

6. Global Domination: The Age of GDP

7. Today's ABC of GDP

8. More Is Not Enough

9. "The People of Plenty Are a People of Waste"

10. From Alchemy to Reason: What If? A Thought Experiment

11. Looking Forward

Appendix A. The Measure as Guide

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Pilot project,eBook available to selected US libraries only

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 23. Mai 2019)

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9780691175935

0691175934

OCLC:

1111041127