Mass Flourishing

In Mass Flourishing, Nobel Prize-winning economist Edmund S. Phelps presents a comprehensive analysis of the forces that have not only built economic wealth but also fostered meaningful personal fulfillment across nations. Drawing on his extensive body of research, Phelps explores how modern values - marked by creativity, individual initiative, and a quest for self-expression - have historically underpinned the mass innovation that created both material prosperity and the broader, enriching dimensions of life. With meticulous attention to historical detail, the book examines periods when grassroots dynamism drove vast improvements in living standards and personal growth. Phelps argues that the decline in these foundational modern values, confronted by a resurgence of traditional and corporatist ideals, now poses a threat to the vibrant, innovation-driven ethos essential for the continued flourishing of society. Mass Flourishing offers a thought-provoking perspective on the balance between economic output and human well-being. It is an essential exploration for anyone interested in the interplay between cultural values and the future of societal progress.