Relevance
This article is the final in our three part challenge to the conventional metrics of national success, proposing that we prioritise human flourishing, societal well-being, and environmental sustainability, alongside economic growth. It considers solutions like Person Impact Audits (PIAs), investment in STEAM education, and the creation of citizen dividend bonds to realign policy frameworks with human and environmental values. As nations continue to focus on GDP and productivity, we need to reimagine what truly constitutes a prosperous society, where economic activities enhance, rather than compromise, our quality of life and the world we leave for future generations.
I play my part in Australia’s GDP, contributing both through the services my business produces and consumes, and my personal consumption. Forays into Harris Farm Markets—which feels like Australia’s answer to Wholefoods—to buy local Milawa bread, unexpectedly increases the sales figures for King Island brie, Goulburn Valley smoked trout, Riverina grapes, and Queensland bananas, as I am seduced by their freshness and quality. It’s satisfying to feed both myself and the economy. Yet, as macro foods are massaged into macro economics, I am reduced to a decimal in a dataset. The numbers strip away any semblance of ‘Anthony’, and my culinary delights, leaving behind a sterile statistic that cascades from economists to politicians, when then solemnly release it via the media. We may not know what the numbers mean, but we feel it, as rising home loan repayments means replacing grapes with gripes.
Is GDP truly the best way to measure Australia’s success? Indeed, we celebrate achievements in education and sport, in quality of life and leisure. But productivity is The Serious Number discussed by Solemn People. But that’s the point: it’s dehumanising. It treats me, and you, as something, not someone.
Just as businesses can prioritise people, so too can governments prioritise human flourishing and societal-wellbeing. This reimagined approach advocates for policies and practices that prioritise the intrinsic value and dignity of people, intending to create a society where economic activities harmonise with the well-being of its people and the environment, setting the stage for innovative solutions that could transform this vision into reality.
Hence, we now consider four possible solutions. As you read, reflect on what it might mean for you and those you care about if work was truly integrated with life, and if human flourishing and community cohesion took second place to regulation and productivity in the government agenda.
Possible solutions
Given the inability of GDP to focus on wellbeing, consider introducing Person Impact AuditsTM (PIAs) to ensure policy decisions are evaluated against their impact on people. We are all familiar with the distinct notions of human centred leadership, businesses and practices, and Environmental Impact Studies (EIS), which considers how a project will impact the environment. Combine these perspectives to develop human-centred policies, and include a Person Impact Audit (PIA), to consider how policies and projects will impact people across the community and across seven generations. PIAs can ensure we incorporate well-being and quality of life indicators into economic performance measures, prioritising policies that enhance mental and physical health, family life, community cohesion, and work-life balance. Just as a corporation must abide by the results of the EIS, so too could we insist that governments abide by the findings of a PIA.
Since true progress relies on interdisciplinary thinking and verbal skills, not only analytical capabilities, promote and invest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), not just STEM education, to balance the focus on usefulness for productivity. Funding research and learning in science, engineering and technology is crucial. However, doing so in an exclusive manner overlooks the crucial role of the Arts in developing fully rounded persons, and socially adept citizens. Emerging research suggests that nurturing creativity, collaboration and communication skills through STEAM education can enhance social cohesion and cultural understanding. It fosters a more engaged community, and contributes to an innovative, adaptable, and diverse workforce—keys to economic growth and competitiveness. In contrast to STEM's utilitarian focus on preparing people for the workforce, STEAM’s human-centred approach fosters human flourishing, yielding broader societal and economic benefits.
If GDP does not account for the quality of our social fabric, how else might we redefine success? Another approach could be by creating Value-Based Economic Policies that prioritise ethical and human considerations over economic gain. By integrating virtues such as care and compassion, with values of beauty, truth, and goodness, into decision-making, policymakers can foster policies that not only support ethical business practices and environmental sustainability but also promote broader societal wellbeing. Examples include offering tax incentives to businesses committed to ethical practices, teleological values, and positive social impacts, and supporting initiatives that enhance family life, ensure fair wages, and enrich cultural life. Support for the arts enriches society's appreciation of beauty, truth, and goodness and contributes to human flourishing, a more vibrant cultural life, and stimulates economic development through creative industries. By adopting such an approach, we can build an economy that serves the common good, enhancing human flourishing in all its dimensions.
Since traditional measures of economic activity overlook human contribution—beyond the statistics of labour force participation—we could also consider establishing investment bonds that offer citizen dividends, that could finance large scale green projects, breakthrough technologies, and innovative healthcare solutions, in turn contributing to our environmental, equity and economic goals. Unlike traditional investment models, these bonds ensure that while investors receive a return on their funds, the broader populace also benefits from the profits, acknowledging their stake in public resources and infrastructure that make these investments possible. A transparent mechanism—that could involve community participation— for project selection, financial viability, profit sharing and fair distribution of dividends will be crucial to success. However, a model such as this can democratise investment in our collective future, making every citizen a stakeholder in our nation's progress. A set of low risk pilot projects, particularly in communities of great need, could easily demonstrate the potential for citizen dividend bonds.
Turn our attention to people
“Uncle Sam Wants You” cried the WWII poster, encouraging citizens to come to the aid of the country. In essence, this poster illustrates the social compact: a key role of government is to defend the country for the good of the citizens, and an important role of the citizens is to aid in that defence when necessary. There is much nobility associated with giving one’s life in a worthy cause. But there is little nobility in giving one’s life for the economy and productivity.
Today, however, that poster might read “Uncle Sam Owns You”. As our culture has placed greater emphasis on the useful and the measurable, people have become assets for corporate profit, and resources for country productivity. While employment and GDP figures reveal how many people are in work, and the quantity of goods and services being generated by that work, they tell us nothing about the fulfilment of those people, nor whether what they produce fosters human flourishing, or just contributes to inflated profits.
While others can consider practical possibilities, such as incentives and rebates, flexible work and leave, my intention is to suggest a different framing, and ask what might happen if we prioritise human flourishing and moral value over markets and economic metrics. The complexity of redesigning policy frameworks to integrate PIAs, STEAM education, or citizen dividends are challenging. Critics might argue doing so diverts attention from pressing issues and established priorities for jobs creation, productivity, and economic growth. Indeed, there is no magic solution, and these may not be the solutions. However, we need to have the conversation, and find ways to orient policy toward human values, not simply utilitarian values.
By focusing on creating a balanced, forward-looking economy that values both human and environmental well-being alongside economic growth, this reframing encourages innovative thinking and collaborative solutions that can address the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Doing so will take political courage, and, almost certainly, some level of bipartisanship. Doing so could be the thing that gets governments elected, for, if voters truly care not just for themselves but for their children, and the environment in which they will grow up, it could be that while tax cuts appeal to the hip-pocket nerve, an empathy dividend will appeal to the heart-strings.
Imagine a future where every person not just survives but thrives, where we enjoy the arts and are all stewards of the environment, and where the economy serves not only the few but the many, creating a legacy of empathy, sustainability and shared prosperity. That can be our greatest gift to the future.
And when you hear the dry statistics, remind yourself they are actually a measure of collaboration: of all that we have done together to serve one another and the country.
Possible Responses
Cultivate an appreciation of the Arts and Humanities: Dedicate time each week to explore a new aspect of the arts or humanities that intrigues you. This could be visiting a local museum or gallery, attending a live performance, reading a novel or poetry, or even enrolling in a workshop or online course related to history, philosophy, or the fine arts. By broadening your exposure, you're not only enriching your personal life but also deepening your understanding and appreciation of human culture and creativity.
Implement a Personal Impact Audit (PIA) in your own life: Take time each day to reflect on your interactions with others, considering the impact of your words and actions. Ask yourself questions like, "How did I contribute to someone's well-being today?" or "Could my actions have been more thoughtful or supportive?" This kind of practice encourages mindfulness and empathy, helps you have a positive impact on others, and fosters a more compassionate and connected community.
Take action for empowerment: Your words and actions can contribute to societal change. Engage in conversations about redefining success in ways that value well-being and dignity for all. Every personal choice, when combined with the efforts of others, can lead to significant societal transformations. Actively participate in or initiate collective actions, such as community discussions, advocacy groups, or social media campaigns, to promote a reimagined definition of success and society.