Wellbeing State Network

This network promotes 'the wellbeing state' as a democratic response to the global rise of authoritarian populism. Although criticism of authoritarian populism abounds, there is little agreement about how it might best be countered. Much policy design is restricted by the TINA doctrine which asserts 'there is no alternative' to our current form of democracy in spite of its ongoing association with individualism, colonial logics, and androcentrism. Yet a growing body of research indicates that the rise of authoritarian populism is, at least in part, a response to the last 50 years of these individualistic economic and social policies which have led to deep social divisions and inequality. To reverse this trend we must attend more carefully to how we might support each other to thrive rather than just survive. Although research and policy work into human thriving, referred to as 'wellbeing', is a fast-growing field, its vision is still often dismissed as unrealistic, hampering attempts to translate conceptual research into policy solutions. This network mobilises wellbeing research under the title 'the wellbeing state' as a framework for a robust, resilient democracy, able to withstand the threat of authoritarian populism.
With support from Professor Thomas Piketty (who has agreed to provide a keynote speech at our convention) and the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, the network brings together researchers, policy makers, and social and political influencers, to a) consolidate the emerging shared language concerning the causes of, and collective wellbeing solutions to, authoritarian populism; b) begin to collaboratively construct feasible alternatives by re-imagining the democratic state as a 'wellbeing state': our name for the infrastructure required to support collective wellbeing; and c) inform blue-sky policy design to begin actualising alternatives. We will then seek further funding to develop our policy work and support the network to instigate a culture shift to empower institutions of governance to enact democracy in a way that supports and sustains human flourishing.
Our transdisciplinary approach is informed by the fact that authoritarian populism has emerged from material conditions and practices across our whole shared way of life together. Further, given the concern that welfare provision is typically majority-serving, Western-centric, and exploitative of minorities, we seek to enact an alternative ethos by involving local and international members, with a specific focus on representatives from minority communities and the Global South (see Case for Support).
This network is a first step. It seeks to establish relationships and pilot a vision, methods, and framework, in a manageable way over two years. We aim to then grow into a long-running forum for research development, dissemination, education, and impact, in the form of further projects and collaborative policy development. The network comprises three work packages actualised in four events; supported by monthly management group meetings, quarterly steering group meetings; and three advisory board meetings. Stage 1 workshop - diagnosis: establish a common language, consolidating definitions, and defining relationships between authoritarianism, populism, democracy, and human flourishing. - Stage 2 cross-sector roundtable and forum - framework construction: cross sector presentations and discussion using method of blue-sky policy thinking which proceeds not from what is currently deemed possible, but how to make possible the policies that are needed. Stage 3 synthesis collaboration and convention - consolidation and policy translation: synthesis collaboration with WWCW to facilitate translation of stage 1&2 findings, followed by a convention incorporating keynotes, working group parallel sessions, art exhibits, performances, presentations, and workshops, showcasing the cross-disciplinary and cross-sector work and collaborative ethos of the network.