The Little Big Number

How GDP Came to Rule the World and What to Do about It

Dirk Philipsen

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9780691175935
  9780691166520
• eBook ISBN:
  9781400865529
• Topic: Economics
• Subtopic: Government & Business
• Index: Economics

The story of GDP and why we need a better measurement of growth

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—GDP 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.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: We Become What We Measure
• 1. More, Better, Faster: The Beginnings
• 2. The Origins of Bling: The Spirit of Economic Growth
• 3. The Crucible of Crisis: The Great Depression and the Need for Economic Indicators
• 4. Born from Disaster: The Making of a Key Measure
• 5. Forged in War
• 6. Global Domination: The Age of GDP
• 7. Today’s ABC of GDP
• 8. More Is Not Enough
• 9. “The People of Plenty Are a People of Waste”
• 10. From Alchemy to Reason: What If? A Thought Experiment
• 11. Looking Forward
• Appendix A. The Measure as Guide
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index