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Extrinsic goals benefit capitalism but not well-being. Rethinking the economy’s goal for a healthier future
Noonan, Robert J.
Noonan, Robert J.
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2024-09-25
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Abstract
The dramatic rise in non-communicable diseases around the world but notably in high-income countries like the UK is a manifestation of a global economic system—capitalism—that prioritizes wealth over health. A decade ago, the former WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan highlighted how ‘efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases go against the business interests of powerful economic operators’ [United Nations. (2013) Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ (last accessed 16 February 2024)]. While there is a growing literature on how politics and economics influence population health—for better or worse—less attention has been given to exploring how economic systems like capitalism influence people’s psychological well-being. To fill this gap, the following article examines how the continued pursuit of economic growth under capitalism (neoliberal free-market forms especially) impacts well-being through challenging basic psychological needs for security, autonomy, competence and relatedness. In doing so, I hope to shed important light on the sources and possible solutions to our growing health and social problems, and stimulate a conversation on how to achieve a healthier future for us all.
Citation
Noonan, R. J. (2024). Extrinsic goals benefit capitalism but not well-being. Rethinking the economy’s goal for a healthier future. Health Promotion International, 39(5), article-number daae090, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daae090.
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Oxford University Press
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Health Promotion International
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DOI
10.1093/heapro/daae090
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Article
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en
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© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.
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0957-4824
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1460-2245
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