Should governments prioritise the well-being of their citizens over economic growth?

Stance

FOR — governments should prioritise well-being over economic growth.

Definitions

• Well-being: Holistic quality of life, including physical/mental health, education, environment, social trust, and dignity, not just material wealth.
• Economic growth: Increase in GDP/GNP, often treated as proxy for prosperity, but not always aligned with quality of life.
• Prioritize: Give primary weight in policymaking, though not necessarily to the total exclusion of growth.

Assumptions Under Challenge

• Main assumption: That "well-being" and "economic growth" are separable and potentially conflicting policy aims.
• Further assumptions:

1. That prioritising well-being is possible to operationalise in government policy. 2. That economic growth is not automatically sufficient to ensure well-being. 3. That governments have the legitimacy and capacity to measure and pursue well-being directly.

Point 1 — Human Rights & Duty of Government