Re-envisioning the Wellbeing Economy: A Publicly Grounded Approach

This linked article explores → Why the Wellbeing Economy Must Bridge the Gap Between Idealism and Practicality . Topics to be taken up to explore each of these ideas. Let’s work together to take them forward.

Synopsis : A critique of the current state of the Wellbeing Economy (WE) movement, generally, but from the perspective of activism in Wales, UK, discussing the movement’s struggle to resonate with broader society due to insularity, niche framing, and perceived elitism. Drawing from thinkers like Katherine Trebeck, Jason Hickel, and Hannah Arendt, it underscores the urgency of reimagining the politics behind alternative economics to address the pressing social, economic, and ecological crises of our age.

Key challenges explored include overcoming echo-chambers, addressing public disillusionment, the rise of populism and public versus private realm in fostering meaningful results. This paper argues for a focus on practical measures, specifically; deliberative democracy, collaboration and ‘mycelia’ activity, a publicly-grounded approach to grassroots engagement, and the introduction of a “commons currency”.

The conclusion calls for a democratic, community-centred approach to economic reform, emphasising tangible benefits and participatory methods to make WE accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all.

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@clive.wychwood
Glad I found this post - I’ve been spouting off about this in another part of the site.

Excellently written, compellingly researched, and an absolutely imperative issue to explore. Particularly interesting subject on the commons currency. Hope to hear more from you on that.

It would be great if there was a clear path for individual activism as well. I found there is no real option on the WeAll site other than institutional partnership to “get involved” beyond this forum. I even inquired about opening a WeAll hub in Boston area and have heard nothing back.

My argument elsewhere on this site is that in order to make all of the practical and tangible prospects WE can offer known, they need to be delivered through relevant cultural channels to build organic support. Art, TV, podcasts, books, comedy, movies, etc. Perhaps even a trusted spokesperson, a sort of celebrity endorser, could move the needle substantially and create the populist roots.

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Thanks for your kindly feedback, much appreciated. Yes, I discussed the idea of celebratory involvement with another Welsh activist, Nigel Pugh, earlier in the year. Certainly, here, it is something which is bubbling under the surface and an important way forward. Just needs the right context and to be carefully managed.

@thobile - thoughts on Boston hub?

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Hello @MichaelB, just responding to some of your points above. Regarding your desire to start a Boston hub but not getting a response. If the request was made to one of the Amp team, it is likely to be simply we haven’t had the bandwidth to respond given limited capacity. However, do check out the part of the WEAll website - weall.org to find our guide to setting up a hub. Happy to connect you to hub efforts in nearby Vermont if of use. As regards using spokespeople, do check out our ambassadors list, also on the website, as well as our narratives tools, also on the website. We also offer a training in how to talk about a wellbeing economy that is very popular, and of course free, like everything we offer. We are also looking to get to more mainstream audiences, which is why we have partnered with social media influencers and are trying to get funding for docs/films. Best, Michael

Thanks Clive for sharing such insightful essay! Since English is not my native language, I will need some days to try some feedback.
Anyway, tonight we have an event in Germany, with the premiere of our film and four organisations have agreed with statements that might help closing the gap. I’ll share in the next days.
Congratulations on your essay again!

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Vielen Dank für Ihre freundlichen Worte. Ich freue mich sehr auf Ihr Feedback zu gegebener Zeit. Tschuess.

Hi @Michael, thanks for the detailed reply and great work you are doing. A big part of my career involved corporate communications, facilitating conversations, and ensuring brand messages were delivered to intended audiences. I’m particularly interested in WE messaging and I’m eager to engage further with ambassadors currently working on this to reach mainstream audiences. Please feel free to suggest the right people! I am fortunately now in conversation with @juanpistone about screening Purpose in my area and looking forward to that becoming a conduit for becoming more involved in facilitating discussions about WE locally. Additionally I was looking to open a Discussion Topic on this site about the intersection of arts / culture and economics, but it seems I’m unable to do so - I submitted a message in the Technical Help portion of the site.

Regarding the hubs, I read the full Hubs Guide, searched for local hubs, and sent a message through the form on the “local hubs” page, and I’m assuming that goes to the Amp team. Of course fully understand about the resource limitations! It’s great to hear there is an effort underway in Vermont to start a hub and I’d be very interested to connect with them. What would be the best way to do that since they’re not on the Hubs page?

At the same time, I believe a hub in the Greater Boston region (VT isn’t really considered such) would be an area with a larger and more concentrated population with broader academic, professional, and policy actors, so I remain interested in being a champion for this in my region, perhaps a bit further down the road. Thanks!