How to define prosperity (in the context of degrowth)

"Conventionally prosperity has been understood as opulence – an increase in consumption, incomes and wealth. Another possibility is to define prosperity in terms of subjective wellbeing – utility or happiness. Tim Jackson, however, prefers a concept put forward by Amartya Sen. Prosperity should be defined in terms of the capabilities that people have to flourish. How well are people able to function in a given context? (Jackson 2009: 34)
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The term “prosperity” derives from the Latin words “pro” and “speres,” which means for (what we) hope. Our capabilities to fl ourish – to be well nourished, healthy and secure, to take part in the life of the community, and to be free to do or to be what we value – corresponds to this original meaning. One measure that is used to assess these capabilities is the Human Development Index (HDI) yearly presented in the Human Development Report published by the UNDP. Another could be the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) (both are presented in Chapter 5).

Jackson, however, thinks it is necessary to bind the capabilities by the limits set by our ecological space. A society is prosperous only if people everywhere have the capability to flourish in certain basic ways. "

(Andersson & Eriksson 2010, p. 132).

#prosperity #flourishing #degrowth

Andersson, J. O., & Eriksson, R. (2010). Chapter 9 “Growth and Degrowth - Is Another Economy Possible? In Elements of Ecological Economics (1st ed., p. 176). Taylor & Francis.