Episode 01: On the Fight to Bring Economics into the 21st Century - with Kate Raworth

In this inaugural episode of Invisible Handcuffs, Katy speaks with economist Kate Raworth, author of 𝘋𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘶𝘵 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘴: 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 21𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘺 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵.

Doughnut Economics seeks to change the goal of our economies - away from endless growth, towards thriving within the planet's limits. But it is also a call to transform economics as a discipline. Because mainstream economic models - which drive decision-making across our institutions - are effectively neoliberalism operationalised: markets = good, states = bad, nature or care - well, who cares?

So this means, to address this century's challenges, we need a very different kind of economics. Doughnut Economics draws on decades of alternative ("heterodox") fields of study, as well as new perspectives which, because they challenge the status quo, are neglected by the mainstream. To many — Katy included— it was the first introduction to such thinking — and it was a revelation.

We talk about the impact the book has had around the world since publication nine years ago, the many ways people are picking it up and running with it, but also the barriers — especially academic, but also institutional, political, cultural. Kate then offers her thoughts on what needs to happen to really break those chains, including some very helpful tips for our own project.

Whether you have read Doughnut Economics or not, we hope you'll find this episode both informative and inspiring.

Show notes:

Doughnut Economics: https://www.kateraworth.com/
Doughnut Economics Action Lab: https://doughnuteconomics.org/
The Hidden Business Majority, by LSE and Wholeloops Labs: https://www.jenimiles.com/research/po...
Rethinking Economics: Is UK Economics Education Fit for the 21st Century?: https://rethinkeconomics.org/blog/rep...
Tipping Point: The True Story of the Limits to Growth: https://tippingpoint-podcast.com/