Beyond Sustainability: What Is The Economy?

Beyond Markets & GDP

What you'll learn

Critically examine the economy's role and purpose in the context of 21st century challenges.

Challenge your assumptions about mainstream economic concepts such as GDP, the invisible hand and trickle-down theory.

Learn how economies can be adapted and redesigned to address resource constraints, inequality and the threat to natural capital.

Complete our Reflections for a better understanding of the global economy.

Requirements

This course is designed for people at all skill levels.

Description

How we perceive the economy and its purpose shapes how our economies are designed. This significantly impacts every aspect of our societies, from decision-making in business and government to how communities organise and what value we place on nature. Through this course, you will learn to appreciate the importance of the economy, how it influences society, and how its purpose must be redefined for a more equitable and sustainable future.In Module 1, Oxford University economist Kate Raworth presents the Doughnut Economics model, a compass for human prosperity.In Module 2, Former Harvard Business School professor David Korten discusses the concept of restructuring the economy for collective prosperity and ecological sustainability. You will gain deeper insight into the importance of tapping into knowledge from various domains, such as governance, business, education, and science, to drive transformative change.In Module 3, Professor Jayati Ghosh from the University of Massachusetts Amherst examines alternative approaches to managing political economies worldwide. The module explains the need to redesign multilateral trade and financial systems to incorporate more inclusive decision-making and ultimately promote greater equity.The "Economic Hit Man" himself, author John Perkins, features in Module 4 where he explains how the existing economic system, or "death economy," primarily benefits the wealthy.

Overview

Section 1: What is Economics and the Economy?

Lecture 1 What is Economics and the Economy: A Preview

Lecture 2 Making Sense of the Economy: Introduction to the Doughnut

Lecture 3 The Doughnut: Measuring Human Prosperity

Lecture 4 Moving Beyond 20th Century Economics

Lecture 5 Turning the Story Around: Designing Regenerative and Distributive Economies

Lecture 6 Moving Toward the Doughnut: Differences Between Nations

Lecture 7 Taking Action: Applying the Doughnut

Lecture 8 Redesigning Society: The Embedded Economy

Lecture 9 Key Takeaways

Lecture 10 Additional Learning Materials

Section 2: Building a 21st Century Economy

Lecture 11 Building a 21st Century Economy: A Preview

Lecture 12 Inequality, Environment and the Economy

Lecture 13 How Imperialism Has Shaped Global Economic Development

Lecture 14 Redesigning Society: The Importance of Community and Environmental Wellbeing

Lecture 15 Shaking the Foundations: Moving Towards New Economic Approaches

Lecture 16 Redesigning the Economy: Education and Collaboration

Lecture 17 Key Takeaways

Lecture 18 Additional Learning Materials

Section 3: The Political Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Action

Lecture 19 The Political Economy - Challenges and Opportunities for Action: A Preview

Lecture 20 Redesigning the Economy: Resistance to Change

Lecture 21 The Political Economy: Inequity Within the Multilateral System

Lecture 22 The Political Economy: Economic Policy Making

Lecture 23 Key Takeaways

Lecture 24 Additional Learning Materials

Section 4: Insights from an "Economic Hit Man": The Life Vs Death Economy

Lecture 25 Insights from an "Economic Hit Man" - The Life vs Death Economy: A Preview

Lecture 26 The Economic Hit Man: A Background

Lecture 27 The Death Vs Life Economy

Lecture 28 The Role of Government in the Economy

Lecture 29 Redesigning the Economy: Individual Action

Lecture 30 Key Takeaways

Lecture 31 Additional Learning Materials

GIFTed's content aims to provide a baseline understanding of global issues to help professionals think critically about their sense of purpose, the role their organisation plays in society, and how they can contribute to shaping the future in their personal and professional capacities. Our content appeals to different levels, functions and industries, whether they come from the public or private sectors, or civil society organisations, and will be relevant to those who have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience, who are in middle management or whose responsibilities lie between strategy and execution.