Meta-Economics:
An Emerging Field for Economic Transformation
Traditional neo-liberal economics—centered on individualism, endless growth, and shareholder primacy—is increasingly seen as inadequate for addressing today’s systemic challenges: ecological collapse, social inequality, and spiritual disconnection. These frameworks promote short-term profit over long-term flourishing and separate human well-being from planetary health.
Meta-Economics emerges as a response to this “meta-crisis.” It invites us to rethink economics not as an isolated discipline, but as an integrated moral and relational field. Drawing on complexity science, ecology, neuroscience, and contemplative insight, this approach understands that economies are embedded within social and natural systems—and must be guided by values that foster interconnection, justice, and sustainability.
| READ: Jonathan F.P. Rose’s article “Meta economics: generating moral economies“, in the International Review of Applied Economics. |
Meta-Economics
as a “Generative Social Field”
The Garrison Institute’s Meta-Economics Initiative is a space for shared inquiry, relational insight, and moral imagination. It incorporates diverse movements like:
-
-
- Regenerative Economics
- Well-Being Economies
- Doughnut Economics
- Cohesive Capitalism
- Life-Ennobling Economics
-
Yet, where many alternative models critique the current paradigm or offer abstract blueprints, Meta-Economics also emphasizes practical transitions, recognizing that dominant systems are deeply entrenched and that real change must involve institutions, narratives, and inner transformation
Recently Added
Crossing the Commons: From Inner Change to Systemic Change
By David Bollier “Be the change you want to see in the world!” is the familiar counsel of great social movements. The advice echoes the lyric from the great African-American song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” But how, exactly, might our inner...
Join Us
Meta-Economics is an evolving conversation, and we invite you to engage
- Attend our webinars and join discussions.
- Explore our resource library and contribute new insights.
- Participate in convenings to help shape the field.
- Connect with us to add your project or research to the map.
Learn more and get involved and download our field-building plan for metaeconomics.
“The rules of justice are accurate in the highest degree, and admit of no exceptions or modifications. … They are the foundation of all social order: when they are removed, the great, the immense fabric of human society… must in a moment crumble into atoms.”
– Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759)
Our Work
Webinars & Thought Leadership
Our Metaeconomics Webinar Series brings together leading thinkers from economics, philosophy, public policy, and spirituality to explore how ethical considerations shape markets, finance, and global economic systems.
Past sessions (see on the right):
- A Transformative Conversation on Moral Economies
- The Common Good: Exploring Island of Coherence with Indy Johar
- Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire with Rebecca Henderson
- Gross National Happiness as a Keystone in Sustainable Growth with Tshewang Wangchuk
- Eric Beinhocker On the New Economic Paradigm
Past Sessions