Stevienna de Saille, Fabien Medvecky, Michiel Van Oudheusden, Kevin Albertson, Effie Amanatidou, Timothy Birabi, and Mario Pansera
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- January 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781529208177
- eISBN:
- 9781529208375
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781529208177.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Innovation is generally considered to be the antidote to economic stagnation. But while the coupling of ‘responsible' and 'innovation’ has been much discussed, that of 'responsible stagnation' has ...
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Innovation is generally considered to be the antidote to economic stagnation. But while the coupling of ‘responsible' and 'innovation’ has been much discussed, that of 'responsible stagnation' has gone largely unexplored. In this book, we take this concept seriously as a means to question the political economy of science, technology and innovation, both as policy and as process, and the problems which arise from unquestioned emphasis on innovation as the means to increase GDP. The book argues that examining what 'responsible stagnation' might contribute opens new space in the growing global discussion about RI, incorporating innovation in non-market oriented processes, goods and services which have strong societal benefit but do not necessarily contribute to GDP. It examines the conundrum of diminishing productivity returns and increased environmental and social hazards associated with attempts to increase GDP, and how taking a growth-agnostic approach contributes to recalibrating innovation around responsibility as its focal point. Drawing on insights from ecological and steady state economics, Science and Technology Studies, and social innovation across the world, this interdisciplinary group of scholars questions how the growth paradigm shapes and limits the innovation space, and how decoupling innovation from growth points toward myriad possibilities for facilitating human well-being in more environmentally and socially responsible ways.Less
Innovation is generally considered to be the antidote to economic stagnation. But while the coupling of ‘responsible' and 'innovation’ has been much discussed, that of 'responsible stagnation' has gone largely unexplored. In this book, we take this concept seriously as a means to question the political economy of science, technology and innovation, both as policy and as process, and the problems which arise from unquestioned emphasis on innovation as the means to increase GDP. The book argues that examining what 'responsible stagnation' might contribute opens new space in the growing global discussion about RI, incorporating innovation in non-market oriented processes, goods and services which have strong societal benefit but do not necessarily contribute to GDP. It examines the conundrum of diminishing productivity returns and increased environmental and social hazards associated with attempts to increase GDP, and how taking a growth-agnostic approach contributes to recalibrating innovation around responsibility as its focal point. Drawing on insights from ecological and steady state economics, Science and Technology Studies, and social innovation across the world, this interdisciplinary group of scholars questions how the growth paradigm shapes and limits the innovation space, and how decoupling innovation from growth points toward myriad possibilities for facilitating human well-being in more environmentally and socially responsible ways.
Hany Besada, Leah McMillan Polonenko, and Manmohan Agarwal (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9781447335702
- eISBN:
- 9781447335740
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447335702.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations were deliberately ambitious, and they have been the subject of much debate. Now, with the 2015 target date for many of the goals ...
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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations were deliberately ambitious, and they have been the subject of much debate. Now, with the 2015 target date for many of the goals having passed, it is time to assess the goals and attempt to determine whether they were effective. Gathering leading scholars from a range of backgrounds and regions, this book offers an in-depth exploration of that question, with the aim of better understanding the effects of the MDGs and learning from them for future policy decisions. It examines the impact of the MDGs on countries and regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, and discusses a range of topics including anti-poverty transfer programmes, sustainable development, and the role of women in economic development.Less
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations were deliberately ambitious, and they have been the subject of much debate. Now, with the 2015 target date for many of the goals having passed, it is time to assess the goals and attempt to determine whether they were effective. Gathering leading scholars from a range of backgrounds and regions, this book offers an in-depth exploration of that question, with the aim of better understanding the effects of the MDGs and learning from them for future policy decisions. It examines the impact of the MDGs on countries and regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, and discusses a range of topics including anti-poverty transfer programmes, sustainable development, and the role of women in economic development.