New Economies - An Essay on Possible Alternatives to a Collapsed System

Abstract

ABSTRACT In a world with enough natural and human resources to feed, dress and house the entire population in a nondestructive way, it is not logical to see most people living in poverty, consuming in unsustainable proportions and destroying the basic systems that support life. Understanding the economy only through the lenses of the capitalism money has transformed society and shaped cities. How long will the multiplication of profits be the main objective? How far do we move away from our roots to meet an unsustainable economic model? Are we happy in this system? And, after all, are there alternatives? The aim of this research is to point out possibilities for a healthy economy and, consequently, a better quality of life. From a wide review of the literature, this article addresses the social and economic transformations resulting from the popularisation of the Internet - emphasising the paradigm shifts that are transforming the logic of capitalism's unsustainable growth (scarcity vs. abundance; competition vs. collaboration, etc.). The improvement of the connection between people, projects and ideas drives much-needed social innovation, especially in times of crisis. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges related to climate change, this article explores three examples of so-called "new economies": Creative, Collaborative and Circular. It was observed that economies based on the new paradigms and aligned with the post-industrial era are more fluid and capable of rescuing the sense of community, of regenerating ecosystems, of reconnecting individuals with their purposes and of the redesigning of cities, generating vibrant and resilient local economies. KEYWORDS: Paradigm Shift; Transition; Regeneration; Social innovation; Resilience, Creative Economy; Collaborative Economy; Circular Economy