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鈥擥DP 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.
"[Philipsen] is not the first to question the utility of GDP estimates, but he may be the most exasperated. His comprehensive history. . . compares GDP to any number of villains in order to make tangible the number's many flaws. . . . He is keyed into how a culture that once burgeoned can implode, and he is anxious about ours."鈥擪aty Lederer, New Yorker
"Comprehensive and readable. . . . Philipsen is motivated by a profound dissatisfaction with the dominance of growth in the national economic agenda, and with the way in which GDP. . . has become a goal rather than simply a measuring tool. . . . [I]n the end the policies he advocates may indeed prevail, and our fixation on growth in GDP as the sole indicator of human happiness may at last be laid to rest."鈥擠avid Throsby, Times Literary Supplement
"[The Little Big Number] takes the anti-GDP case even further. . . . Philipsen argues that not only is GDP a flawed statistic in need of replacing鈥攂ut the whole notion of open-ended economic growth needs to go, too."鈥擪evin Hartnett, Boston Globe
"Some efforts are already underway, most notably the 鈥楤eyond GDP' initiative by the European Commission, but much remains to be done. Philipsen's book is a clarion call."鈥擲eeking Alpha
"[Philipsen's] call for a dialogue about setting new goals鈥攕ustainability, equity, democratic accountability, and economic viability鈥攕hould command our attention. . . . It won't be easy. But Philipsen is surely right that no task is more important."鈥擥lenn C. Altschuler, Huffington Post
"Dirk Philipsen's The Little Big Number, couldn't have come at a better time."鈥擠ouglas Beal, Huffington Post
"[A] provocative and insightful book. . . . The book stands on its own as a piece of economic history, but also serves as an important call for social change."鈥擜lex Mitchell, Consumption Markets & Culture
"This book nicely summarizes the many critiques of GDP. Philipsen's knowledge of economic theory, statistics, econometric accounting, and history is impressive."鈥擲tephen Macekura, American Historical Review
"Its cautionary story of the creation of GNP accounting is eye-opening, and well told. The list of ways that GDP could be improved, even as a measure of production . . . all provoke thought. The book easily could be used as a directory of research criticizing GDP."鈥擠onald Frey, EH.Net
"GDP is not just a number but is code for a set of economic values and principles that we're not supposed to question. Philipsen breaks that taboo by critically assessing the origins and impacts of our overreliance on this flawed metric. Anyone who wants to understand our economy's weaknesses鈥攁nd how to make them better鈥攏eeds to read this book."鈥擜nnie Leonard, author of The Story of Stuffand executive director of Greenpeace USA
"Philipsen brilliantly exposes the skeleton hiding in the economist's closet鈥攖he dangerously misleading talisman of GDP. He uncovers the extraordinary story of how good intentions morphed into the monstrous misconception of public progress and economic value that reigns over politics and public opinion. If society fails to heed Philipsen's message about developing new ways to measure economic gain and loss, the sustainable future is not going to be possible."鈥擶illiam Greider, author of The Soul of Capitalism
"The Little Big Number makes the case that GDP has become counterproductive and we need better goals and measures of progress. An excellent and timely book."鈥擱obert Costanza, Australian National University
"Philipsen presents a well-researched, persuasively written book on what is wrong with the economic system we live in and live by. Showing that the GDP measure binds all the different fallacies of our economic world together, he offers a call to action on what we need to change now."鈥擣loris Heukelom, Radboud University
"The Little Big Number demonstrates that the reigning measure of economic policymaking worldwide is not only inadequate but perverse in its impact on any possibility for sane social and economic discourse. This impressive and lively book will become the authoritative text for critiquing GDP."鈥擳had Williamson, University of Richmond
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