The Little Big Number : : How GDP Came to Rule the World and What to Do about It / / Dirk Philipsen.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Princeton University Press Complete eBook-Package 2014-2015
• VerfasserIn: Philipsen, Dirk,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2015]; ©2015
• Year of Publication: 2015
• Edition: Pilot project. eBook available to selected US libraries only
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (416 p.) :; 2 halftones. 9 line illus. 3 tables.

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.

Table of 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