A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow | Kate Raworth 

I've always thought there was something drastically wrong with the idea that an economy must get bigger and bigger in order to be sustainable. It gives me a mental picture of a huge maw, consuming everything in its path. How wonderful to find someone who articulates so well what a sustainable, thriving economy would look like, and how wonderful to see from the comments that there are many, many out there who agree.

"We need a dashboard of indicators" -- health, wellness, social connectedness, ecological regeneration, fluid exchanges of services and good, etc. So great to hear this. So much needed.

This really is exceptionally well thought-out and delivered; and couldn't be more important.

I am surprised to see this video was noticed by less than half a million viewers ONLY. Such an essential topic was discussed. I am grateful to Ms. Kate Raworth for bringing it up. Japan's GDP has not been growing much for 3 decades, but it doesn't seem that Japanese are living worse now. They got used to the deflation and learnt to cope with it. This is what encouraged me to dig into exploring the "no growth economy" and I believe it will become a trend soon for majority of the world. We've got to stop producing more and more, but rather focus on solely meeting our needs and getting more inspiration and strength from our surroundings, from the nature, from chatting with friends. I would love to see such lifestyle being commonly followed. Thank you!

Thank you Kate Raworth. I gave up on economics decades ago when I discovered the limits and fallacies of "eternal" growth. I gave up on finding an economist who could actually think and incorporate reality into that thought. You have just changed my mind. This TED talk is the best thing I have heard/watched in 2022. I look forward to seeing/hearing more of you. 🥰😁🤗

The single most important Ted Talk ever made. Thanks Kate Raworth for rejecting status-quo and actually looking in the eyes the reality of the 21st century's main challenges !

This is genius. Thank you Kate Raworth. How might we better honour the importance of arts, creative expression and culture in our definition of human flourishing?

I would like to major in economics, especially in environmental economics, which deals with climate change and the distribution of limited resources. This TED talk suggests a sustainable economic boundary, in which everyone can thrive.

You can see all the rich people being uncomfortable in the crowd.

I think that the “Doughnut-Economy" concept of Kate Raworth offers a great new way of thinking. It arises from the idea that “we need economies that make us thrive whether or not they grow”. Therefore, it is necessary to overthink the importance of GDP as a welfare-indicator. Critics on the “five stages of growth” by W.W. Rostow are fundamental for rethinking economics, because Rostow’s book explains how the goal of mass consumption can be accomplished by capitalism. The biggest problem is that there is no end to this dynamic. Unfortunately, it seems like countries are nowadays politically, financially and socially dependent on never-ending growth. The big problem is that this understanding of economics threatens the environment in a very drastic way. For this reason, Kate Raworth invented the “Doughnot-Economy”, which conceptualises how economies can thrive without growth and without destroying the environment. For me, the central point of this concept, and I think also the biggest challenge of our generation is to stay within the planetary boundaries. This means that people must move between the fundament and the ceiling in all parts of life like housing, water, energy, food, education, income & work, social equity and many more. I really like Raworth's statement which says that the economists of the last century did not know the picture of planetary boundaries and for that reason their theories cannot be the right ones. We cannot answer to pollution with the “all-solving” growth because it would make the problem much worse. I also like her idea of regenerating biological materials and restoring technical materials. Technological progress and especially concentration on sustainable developments provide a great opportunity for designing a green future. Altogether, I think that the concept of Kate Raworth could really transform our way of living and save our planet. But what I am uncertain about is if we all are ready for change. During the last years, a movement within societies happened, many people are concerned about the environment and a lot is ready to change something. But I think the problem is that society’s pressure on politicians and companies is still not heavy enough. As long as the majority of people just accepts the system and the economy as it is, there won’t be change in the short term. I’m afraid that we - even though it would be the cure - will not implement the Doughnut-Economy (for now).

Fantastically framed, articulated and presented. Thank you!

Fantastic talk! Well spoken, passionate presentation and easy to listen to. 10/10 !

As a Dutchman: Let's all start cycling!

Thank You Kate Raworth for this important talk. You are spot on about how conditioned many of us have become to place the focus on continued growth and how that has and is effecting us ... it even is one component of why poor people have such a hard time ... so many products are built to only last a brief time so they can be made and sold again ... and those made the cheapest are the ones the poor end up buying so over and over poor people have to buy clothing and shoes and toasters .... and light bulbs ... so the economy can grow. Love & Peace to All

It was the finest and most influential speech of my life. You have an extraordinary way to explain things along with you pleasent personality! You gave me a whole new prospective towards growth and economy. Your words made me think deeply about the present condition of earth. Thankyou so much maam🌻.

Amsterdam is going to use this model to manage their local economy and societal goals.

It is a very inspirational and controversial model. In this idea I am convinced of the future.

The best presentation I've seen. Articulated the key ideas perfectly. Made me pause a think. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Fantastic presentation. This is the future we need, and the mindset to achieve it 👏👏

I've watched a fair share of TED talks, and seen many other people speak on the re-thinking that needs to happen... this is an outstanding delivery. I'm even happy to give a pass on the buzzword salad at 12:22, no doubt these terms were being thrown about everywhere at TED in 2015, and she needs to get people's attention.

This is an exhilarating talk almost poetry; 'so often thought of but never so well expressed'! Congratulations for such a brilliant speech.

This is definitely one of the best talks that I have ever heard!!!

growth will happen but not in material products, it will happen spiritually, books, art, information and insights.. it's already happening, people are scaling back on material things.. In knowledge growth can be infinite and without big impacts on the environment

Who is here after Dutch brought up similar plan during Covid ?

This was a very inspiring, thought-provoking and visionary talk! It highlights our unlimited potential as humans and citizens of the earth.

I have always thought that growth as a goal was asinine, since you'd be constantly striving, rather than be satisfied with and enjoy how well we are at the current point in time. We're no longer dependent solely on manufacturing and farming, but heavily on services, and you don't need growth, you need to sustain and improve what you already have.

This is incredible and really painted the picture for what we need to be prepared to change in order to save our future!

Came here after reading Kate's book, doughnut economics... it's a great read. Learn from the past, evaluate present performance and plan appropriately for the future.

Thank you for articulating this important message so succinctly and clearly.

Well said @kateraworth. Very inspired way to explain how a truly healthy economy can thrive. Thanks and keep up the great work.

Professor Ray Vander Zaag brought this video today September 21, 2022, in our class of Analysis of Development Aid Policy and Practice class at Menno Simons College/ The University of Winnipeg. Quite fascinating indeed...

I love this. Going to a talk tonight to introduce this to a new audience so thought I had better gen up. Excellent Ted - love this message. Will explore further.

Excellent talk. I like the idea of aiming for the sweet spot in-line with nature, and agree that the limitations we place on ourselves to become responsible with the planet's resources can promote creativity.

One of the best talks that i have heard ever

Awesome speech/talk, so very true.

Just brilliant! This should be required viewing for every young adult in industrialized nations whose economies are measured in deceptive and damaging constructs of endless growth (benefiting the few), so that they might be energized and inspired to play their part in the co-creation of economies measured by the TRUE wealth of safe, thriving, balanced, just and inclusive communities for the benefit of all.

Everyone of us should listen to this presentation several times a week.

I'm re-learning economic with her book "Doughnut economic" and I've realised the importance and responsibility we have to fix this world.

Absolutely amazing!!!

Hi teacher, thanks for helping me with this video!!

Growth is a imperative for individuals. Without it life would die out. In nature, various forces limit it, often painfully for the individual. The same will be true for us - if we don't learn to live sustainably.

Kate keep it coming, Such insight. The best economist out there bar Richard Wolff

Well articulated presentation.

I could not agree more with what Kate Raworth says. A few years ago I started to realize that we live in a system in which the good of the Economy is the first priority instead of the needs of mankind. In the name of the good of the Economy we keep wasting our resources by producng goods that are not essential to our subsistence so we can buy them with money that we do not have. To buy these goods we ask for credits that we end up paying at rates that are usurious. So who benefits with the status quo? Who ends up benefiting from this state of affairs? The owners of the means of production and the financial capital.

This needs to be embraced by all. The idea also that wealth is correlated with happiness needs to be addressed. Education systems can rectify this pretty simply.

This needs to be shown in every school and every child must watch until they truly understand how important this is!! Go girl. We’re right behind you! This is the truth, hallefuckingluja 👍🏼👍🏼

Thank you Kate for this Ted Talk. My perception in development has changed through this video. We reach for growth yet we forget to thrive. Let's make 21st century more distributive for a great, thriving future . Thank you.

I found this really interesting, thank you!

We could start by curtailing and eventually eliminating compounding interest. The maths of compounding interest plainly shows that it is impossible to sustain.

Very impressive and well delivered argument for a change in our economic view of the world. Highlights the gravity of the current situation, but offers ideas for potential solutions. Thank you Kate.

Great video. Was looking for a sustainable economic model like the one shown here

This is what I am actively working on creating and everyone is welcome to join. We need solutions from everywhere and we need to own our own data/tech. We can create systems and services together that no small group can.

A nice collection of a whole bunch of economic and strategic management thinking wrapped up in a causal loop analysis of the possibilities for future change, so nothing new, but perhaps we need a different view and Kate gives us that.

>Watching in 2020 >"Bicycles and sewing machines -- this was the 1960s remember" >Looks at new sewing machine and mask making materials

One of the best 'Well-delivered' TED talks.

Very well explained!

Perpetual and infinite growth is an insane economic policy.

This is amazing. It doesn´t matter when you see this, she is right.

What an excellent, motivational, and easy-to-listen-to way of delivering critical information. Cheers *toasts glass*

✨ _"Las personas más ingeniosas del mundo convierten los límites en la fuente de su creatividad"_ ♡ *Kate Raworth* 💗 🌺 She is just like... *Eleanor Roosevelt* !!! 🍀

14:05 "If I told you my friend went to the doctor who told her she had 'a growth' -- that feels very different. Because we intuitively understand that when something tries to grow forever within a healthy, living, thriving system, it's a threat to the health of the whole. So why would we imagine that our economies would be the one system that could buck this trend and succeed by growing forever?"

This is exactly what my company is striving to do with our corporate structure, perhaps in a few years I'll be giving a Ted Talk

Superb articulation and deeply insightful. Awesome, very well delivered.

At first, we need different mind set to support different economy model, most part of the society must to learn the what the collaborative means and can be good for all...Love your explanation! Thinking on what else can I do to chance the world!

Amazing view kate, the permaculture movement has the same tenets and its the only way to habitate the planet. Well done on giving an economic blueprint. Am from a 3rd world country and even with effects of colonization, climate change and cancerous corruption, i dont think we need growth desparately. Alot can be done with localized solutions driven by circular systems technology.

Coupled with Simon Sinek's ideas about the Infinite Game, this perfectly illustrates why we need to forget about servitude to shareholders and get back to serving the stakeholders, the people doing the work.

Extremely Enlightening!!

She's AMAZING! Loved this so much

BLESS THIs TALK jesus christ shes so right, i hope to live to see that day

OMG, that is NOT a doughnut! It's a- 7:40

Amazing lecture!

Common sense should tell anyone that infinite growth is not even imaginable, not to mention sustainable.

What a smart human being. Incredible words, incredible thinking...so needed these times, and so resisted by those who thrive on the expense of the planet and the people. Thank you for sharing.

what a talk! she speaks out of my mind!

Brilliant powerful coherent talk. Thank you

Airplane metaphor is a perfect way to explain this to a mass audience

The biggest challenge in this century is that the most developed economies must get sustainable and back in the healthy ring of the donut and at the same time allow developing countries to grow without going over natural limits. One important indicator is the world overshoot day.

probably the best speech i have ever heard. both in regards of content and references. why havent i watched this earlier?

Thank you for shared brilliant ideas

She is simply amazing! Very important contribution to the countless growth-dependent economic models out there.

best talk ever 🌟😭

This is amazing! The need of the hour.

Fantastic, this is an outstanding ted talk.

Can anyone answer how to promote competition if growth is no longer the goal? Can a business in a free market be motivated to improve its services with an alternative to monetary rewards?

What a powerful impulse for change !!! We need this now more than ever

15:15 That's actually very true. We tend to think of constraints as limiting which may be true as well but also, a lot of the times, they liberate us towards a set path because the number of combinations are less and force that something within us to get to work

Excellent analysis, this need's too be made practice. 👍👍

My dog takes all of her toys and places them in the center of the home where all the action is. That way she can keep watch over everything that is important.

What economic system assumes the possibility of unlimited growth? The law of supply and demand is based on limited resources and hence accepts limited growth.

Absolutely fantastic!

Awesome talk....👌👌👌

This is a lovely exposition on where the current growth model of capitalism has taken us, and what the future holds. And comments knee jerking in defense of the current system miss the point. No surprise at all. Raworth made the history of how we got here, just where "here" is, and where we are going unless we change as simple as possible. The doughnut model is brilliant. But some people will not see things in the light of day. They prefer to kick the table and shout meaningless platitudes in fear of change. Too bad for them. And too bad for us, who they will take down.

Some people are just never satisfied.

really inspirational! and i felt astonished when i understood the doughnut diagram

This is the answer, so clear!

Thanos : Say no more

03:37 The author of "The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto" W.W. Rostow "wrote, 'And then, the question beyond, where history only offers us fragments. What to do when the increase in real income itself loses its charm?' He asked that question but he never answered it..."

Apply lean manufacturing to the economy as well

Wonderful lense on our world, lets get to work!

THIS VIDEO DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH VIEWS!!!!!!! P.S. Loved the reference to the gender gap in Science, she really took her opportunity.