Economic narratives for a sustainable world

Among the dominant economic narratives, the one centred on GDP growth as a primary measure for evaluating a country’s progress and prosperity has shaped global institutions, policies, and identities. Yet, in the face of the intertwining of contemporary crises—ecological collapse, persistent social inequality, and declining marginal returns of GDP on happiness—this narrative is increasingly being questioned. This paper explores three alternative economic narratives developing over the past few years—the Economy of Francesco (EoF), Doughnut Economics (DE), and Wellbeing Economy (WE)—not merely as frameworks for reform, but as emergent paradigms with the power to reframe the purpose, structure, and moral foundation of economic life. After examining each of them through a discussion of their narrative dimension, a comparative reading is proposed to highlight similarities and differences and to assess their potential for joint action in advancing alternatives to the dominant GDP-centred economic narrative. Our main conclusion is that these paradigms function best as complementary strategies—ethical engagement (EoF), visual reframing of economic goals (DE), and policy integration (WE)—supporting a practicable, justice-centred transition from growth-dependent capitalism to wellbeing within planetary boundaries.