This paper argues that traditional economic measures can mask deteriorating social conditions, which increasingly matter for politics, policy, and markets. Across developed economies, its seven part social gauge shows sharp contrasts, while populism has climbed to its highest level since the 1930s.
Social Outcomes Have Diverged from Traditional Economic Measures
Bridgewater
Phil Salinger, Karen Karniol-Tambour
Article
1 Pages
Key Takeaways
US Social Disconnect: The US scores 0.5 on traditional macroeconomic conditions but negative 1.5 on aggregate social conditions, highlighting a sizable gap between economic strength and social outcomes
Japan Flips The Script: Japan scores negative 0.4 on traditional macroeconomic conditions but 1.6 on aggregate social conditions, suggesting weak growth does not necessarily imply weak societal outcomes.
Populism Reaches Extremes The developed world populism index has risen to its highest level since the 1930s, with social conditions showing a stronger relationship to populism than macroeconomic progress.
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