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Social Suffering: A New Reference Framework for Economic Analysis

Author

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  • Jerome ballet
  • François-Regis Mahieu

Abstract

Social suffering has become a recurrent theme in various disciplines (sociology, social psychology, anthropology), but remains absent from economic analysis. The aim of our article is hence to reinstate the role of social suffering in economics. We first define the scope of the concept, which should be interpreted as a form of suffering generated by economic systems, particularly the current capitalist system. We then dismiss the objections to this conception of social suffering. In particular, we dismiss the attempt to reduce social suffering to a set of categorical phenomena that can be interpreted independently of the functioning of an economic system. Finally, we point out that lowering social suffering should take precedence over the pursuit of happiness. JEL Classification: B40, P46, A13

Suggested Citation

  • Jerome ballet & François-Regis Mahieu, 2022. "Social Suffering: A New Reference Framework for Economic Analysis," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 54(3), pages 281-297, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:54:y:2022:i:3:p:281-297
    DOI: 10.1177/04866134221087495
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social suffering; neoliberalism; negative utilitarianism; well-being;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B40 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - General
    • P46 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values

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