ABSTRACT
Discussions of contemporary issues in the United Kingdom often have a particular focus. Politicians and policy makers debate the well-being of a nation by referring to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). They repeatedly worry about the behavior of consumers, and endlessly debate environmental and health care impacts on the treasury and the economy. If Oscar Wilde could see us now, he might wonder if we still know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Is the well-being of a nation re ected only by its GDP? What about health, happiness, and time with family? Are people in a nation merely “consumers” and not also “citizens”? Do environmental and health policies have to bestow immediate fi nancial bene ts in order to be pursued?
