Doughnut Economics

A : [[book]]

Written by : [[Kate Raworth]]

I like the book. Combines alternative economics, systems thinking, care, feminism, environmentalism, some socialist ideas.

I very much like the idea of a regenerative and distributive economy. Not sure if she'd describe it as such, but it comes across fairly [[ecosocialist]], with its dual concern for [[social equity]] and [[planetary boundaries]]. Though not explicitly anti-capitalist, it's anti neoliberal economics.

The Doughnut

I like how easily graspable as a visual rubric it is - don't let anyone go into the hole of the doughnut, i.e. have a baseline of equity for everyone, and don't go outside the outer edge - i.e. stay within planetary boundaries.

The bit in the middle, the doughnut, is a regenerative and distributive economy.

⥅ [[doughnut-model.jpg]]

(CC-BY-SA 4.0 from

⥅ [[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Doughnut_(economic_model).jpg]]

Ecological ceiling

• [[Climate change]]
• Ocean acidification
• Chemical pollution
• Nitrogen & phosphorous loading
• Freshwater withdrawals
• Land conversion
• [[Biodiversity loss]]
• Air pollution
• Ozone layer depletion

i.e. the [[planetary boundaries]].

Social foundation

• Water
• Food
• Health
• Education
• Income & work
• Peace & justice
• Political voice
• Social equity
• Gender equality
• Housing
• Networks
• Energy

I like the seven ways to think like a 21st century economist:

• Change the Goal: Shift from GDP growth to thriving within the Doughnut's ecological and social boundaries
• See the Big Picture: Recognize that economies are embedded within society and the environment.
• Nurture Human Nature: Promote cooperative and caring behaviors over competitive ones.
• Get Savvy with Systems: Understand economies as complex, interdependent systems.
• Design to Distribute: Create distributive economies that address inequality.
• Create to Regenerate: Transition from degenerative to regenerative economic practices.
• Be Agnostic about Growth: Focus on thriving rather than perpetual growth.