Lorenzo Fioramonti Livres

GDP is much more than a simple statistic. It has become the overarching benchmark of success and a powerful ordering principle at the heart of the global economy.

Gross domestic product is arguably the best-known statistic in the contemporary world, and certainly amongst the most powerful. It drives government policy and sets priorities in a variety of vital social fields - from schooling to healthcare. Yet for perhaps the first time since it was invented in the 1930s, this popular icon of economic growth has come to be regarded by a wide range of people as a 'problem'. After all, does our quality of life really improve when our economy grows 2 or 3 per cent? Can we continue to sacrifice the environment to safeguard a vision of the world based on the illusion of infinite economic growth? Lorenzo Fioramonti takes apart the 'content' of GDP - what it measures, what it doesn't and why - and reveals the powerful political interests that have allowed it to dominate today's economies. In doing so, he demonstrates just how little relevance GDP has to moral principles such as equity, social justice and redistribution, and shows that an alternative is possible, as evinced by the 'de-growth' movement and initiatives such as transition towns. A startling insight into the politics of a number that has come to dominate our everyday lives.

A revealing analysis of the power, politicization and domination of our everyday lives by numbers

The book examines the European Union's engagement with civil society since the 1990s, highlighting its role in the democratization process. It details the transition from initial democratic movements to the consolidation of democratic institutions, while also addressing the quality of democracy and its connection to sustainable development. Through this analysis, the work sheds light on the EU's influence and strategies in fostering civil society's growth and impact on democratic governance.

The book explores the interplay between regional governance and global crises, focusing on the European Union's current challenges. It examines regional cooperation and integration across various continents, including the Arab world, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, through insightful case studies. This analysis highlights how local governance structures respond to and are influenced by broader global issues.