Integrating Doughnut Economics into People’s Planning
A Sustainable Development Paradigm for Kerala and Beyond
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55763/ippr.2026.07.02.003Abstract
This paper examines how the principles of Doughnut Economics resonate with the Kerala Model of Decentralisation, how they diverge, and how their synthesis could inform sustainable policy pathways for future. The first part of the paper offers comparative perspectives on People’s Planning in Kerala and Doughnut Economics. The second part looks into the integration of a Doughnut Economics framework into the local development planning exercise and the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC). The third part critically analyses the deficits in the People’s Plan Campaign and the relevance of Doughnut Economics in Kerala context. The fourth part looks into the limitations of Doughnut Economics, followed by conclusions. The PPC in Kerala has completed around 30 years, and it has been a journey that involved a learning and relearning process. While the Campaign still exists, the fervour and zeal for genuine decentralisation are missing. This paper suggests ways to revive the ‘stagnated People’s Planning Campaign’ through the lens of a Doughnut Economics framework. This paper does not in any way undermine the rich legacy of Kerala’s PPC, but intends only to strengthen this unique people-centric participatory democratic framework.
Keywords:
People’s Plan Campaign, Doughnut Economics, Kerala, Local Governments, Decentralised Planning, Sustainable Development, Doughnut-Level Planning and SDGsDownloads
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