The Inclusive Wealth of Nations

The Inclusive Wealth of Nations argues for a reassessment of the way a nation’s wealth is measured, extending beyond the simple measurement of GDP to include all forms of capital - produced, human, natural, and social - that contribute to human well-being and national wealth in the broadest sense.

By incorporating natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity into the measurement of national wealth, inclusive wealth ensures that economic development is sustainable and safeguards future prosperity.

The Inclusive Wealth of Nations offers an overview of how economists have viewed economic growth, from Adam Smith's early insights to the present. It explains how economists responded to increased critiques of economic growth, such as the Limits to Growth in the 1970s, and how this set the groundwork for contemporary thinking on sustainable development. The book analyses why economists advocate for inclusive wealth as the standard measurement, while also critically evaluating practical applications of this approach.

Written in a lively and accessible manner, it helps the reader understand how inclusive wealth provides a means of balancing short-term economic gains with long-term sustainability.