Alternative Economic Indicators

Growth is the main priority of economic policy, but it is now apparent that the environmental and social costs of growth are too high. If growth is no longer the goal of economic policy, what are the alternatives? "Alternative Economic Indicators" looks at this issue in the context of National Income accounting. After discussing and rejecting various possible ways of adjusting the existing systems of Gross National and Gross Domestic Product, Victor Anderson argues for an expanded conception of economics which gives attention to environmental and social indicators, as well as to financial ones. He discusses a selection of possible indicators and argues for a particular set. He presents and analyzes statistical data on the selected indicators for 14 countries and draws conclusions about the issue of indicators and the state of the world. This book should be of interest to lecturers and students of economics, environmental science and the general reader interested in green issues.