posteconomic

Posteconomic refers to a theoretical framework and a social movement that questions the centrality of monetary exchange and market rules in organizing human activity. Proponents argue that the world can move beyond an economy that treats all goods and services as commodities, toward a system in which well‑being, ecological sustainability, and cultural values take precedence.

The idea emerged from a critique of neoliberal policies and the growing inequalities associated with the financialisation of society. Early influences include the work of philosophers such as Pierre Bourdieu, who identified cultural and social capital, and the journalistic investigations of Robert Kuttner, who coined the term in a 2008 article in the Christian Science Monitor. Since then, the posteconomic discourse has expanded to include ecological economics, degrowth, and the sharing economy.

Key concepts in the posteconomic debate include universal basic income, the commons, and the design of work that is both fulfilling and environmentally compatible. It also encompasses proposals to reconceptualise value not in terms of profit but in terms of human and planetary well‐being. Some theorists highlight the need for institutional change, such as adjusted metrics of progress in place of GDP, while others focus on grassroots community initiatives that demonstrate alternative organising principles.

Critics argue that posteconomic ideas lack a clear practical roadmap for implementation, and that they risk underestimating the continuing importance of money in facilitating coordination and allocating scarce resources. Others note the danger of conflating posteconomic with utopian or anti‑market sentiments without addressing the complexities of large‑scale social organisation.

Despite the debates, the posteconomic concept has influenced policy discussions in several countries, stimulated pilot projects that prioritize sustainability and well‑being, and contributed to a broader re‑evaluation of how societies can pursue prosperity while mitigating environmental damage.