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Tilting the Scale

A Theoretical Framework to re-direct Public Policy away from Economic Growth towards Sustainable and Inclusive Wellbeing

29 February 2024

Theoretical Framework

This theoretical framework develops a theory of institutional change conceptualising how narratives influence the policies, governance, and technical infrastructure (i.e. the metrics, accounts, and macroeconomic models) that shape our societies. Our authors apply this theory of institutional change to examine both the enduring dominance of the economic growth narrative in public policy and the reasons behind the limited success of new narratives.

Moreover, the report provides an interdisciplinary synthesis to guide the selection and development of metrics, accounting frameworks, and macroeconomic models in line with the emerging sustainable and inclusive wellbeing narrative.

Conclusion

The report concludes with eight practical recommendations to advance the sustainable and inclusive wellbeing narrative.

People involved
Rutger Hoekstra
Leiden University
WISE Circle
Raphael Kaufmann
ZOE Institute
Annegeke Jansen
Leiden University
WISE Circle
Jonathan Barth
ZOE Institute
Jaap Arntzen
CAR
Fabian Rocha
SINTEF
Paul Behrens
Leiden University, University of Oxford
Philipp Bothe
Paris School of Economics
Magali Brosio
Magalí Brosio
ZOE Institute
Lucas Chancel
Paris School of Economics
WISE Circle
Lin Cui
Tsinghua University
Angela Druckman
Angela Druckman
CUSP
Sean Fearon
Seán Fearon
CUSP
Ben Gallant
Ben Gallant
CUSP
Nicole Kormann da Silva
ZOE Institute
Kedi Liu
Leiden University
Simon Mair
University of York
Cornelia Mohren
Paris School of Economics
Patrick Scheffer
ZOE Institute
Inge Schrijver
Leiden University
Ranran Wang
Leiden University
Kirsten Wiebe
SINTEF
WISE Circle
Junming Zhu
Tsinghua University