econews. For decades, economic success has largely been measured by one number: GDP growth.
But what if economic growth alone is not enough?
An economy can grow while millions of people still lack access to food, healthcare, education, housing, and a decent standard of living. At the same time, unlimited production and consumption can put enormous pressure on the planet's natural systems.
Economist Kate Raworth offers a different framework known as Doughnut Economics.
The model is built around two boundaries.
The first is a social foundation—the minimum conditions every person should have to live a dignified life, including food, health, education, income, housing, equality, and political participation.
The second is an ecological ceiling—the environmental limits that humanity should not exceed, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the overuse of natural resources.
The goal is to operate in the space between these two boundaries: a “safe and just space” where people can thrive without destroying the ecological systems that support life.
This changes the fundamental question of economics.
Instead of asking only, “How can we make the economy grow?”, we can ask:
“How can we create an economy that allows everyone to thrive within the limits of our planet?”
The challenge is enormous. It requires rethinking what we measure, how we produce and consume, and what we consider economic success.
A better economy may not simply be one that produces more. It may be one that delivers better lives for more people while using fewer resources and respecting the limits of the planet.