Book Review: The Power of Well-Being

A blueprint for rebuilding the social fabric and reimagining an inclusive society

Jacqui Thompson*

Author: Clive Elliott Cogent Publishing, NY, 2021 available on Kindle

One of the trickiest questions you can be asked by a writer is what you think about their work. I was asked this question by Clive Elliott QC about his recently published book “the Power of Wellbeing”. The timing couldn’t have been worse really. It was just before we were about to launch a webinar where Clive was being interviewed by barrister, Sarah Wroe. I was distracted and a little bit anxious and without hesitation blurted out the truth: “Well, it wasn’t a laugh a minute, but it certainly made me think”. I was horrified the moment I said it.

Clive was not horrified but pleased. This was the reaction he wanted when he sat down to write this book. He wanted people to think about the social framework and the structural problems that we all face, not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but globally. Importantly, recent upheavals had led him to question how we can regulate the relationship between the individual and society and what obligations we have towards each other.

Clive tackled the subjects not as an academic, but as someone looking for answers. That is part of the charm of the book. It is a discussion about how we as individuals could remodel our social construct to embrace a concept of wellbeing that can create empathy, trust and social cohesion, and in turn a free, fair and equitable society. It is accessible and relatable.

The book has a very Aotearoa New Zealand focus with examples from recent history. Clive also draws on his experience as a “middle-aged white South African who grew up in a deeply divided country, and a racist apartheid regime” 1 who emigrated to New Zealand. Speaking of his home of 40 years, he says that “Aotearoa has taught me the inestimable value of honest reflection, tolerance, and understanding.” 2

[T]he 15 March 2019 Mosque shootings in Christchurch crystallised his thinking on a number of what he calls inconvenient truths, such as tribalism and the us versus them mentality that is rearing its ugly head in the form of racial and religious intolerance.

However, the 15 March 2019 Mosque shootings in Christchurch crystallised his thinking on a number of what he calls inconvenient truths, such as tribalism and the us versus them mentality that is rearing its ugly head in the form of racial and religious intolerance. Added to this was the growing gap in terms of economic equality, the environmental catastrophe that we all face and the increasing focus on the rights of the individual without balancing these against their responsibility to society.

In writing this book, Clive has not shied away from confronting the central issue that has dominated New Zealand politics since at least the 1970s, namely economic growth versus fair living standards. He quotes Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who said that while the growth of the economy is important, it does not guarantee improvements to living standards or reflect who benefits, who is left out and who is left behind. 3 And of course, when people are left behind, we cannot be surprised by growing anger and increasing violence.

Clive concludes that the major environmental and social upheavals we are experiencing need a new way of thinking. He proposes that we focus on General Wellbeing (GWB). He notes that wellbeing is not an economic plan or policy and is not a thing that causes something. By GWB, Clive is talking about an ultimate goal and process – and a philosophy and way of life. It is about achieving a better life for more people, even if it means a little less for those with a lot more. 4

As Clive notes, the genesis of wellbeing stretches back as far as Greek and Roman antiquity. It is underpinned by the ethical principle of reciprocity or treating others as you expect them to treat you. 5 The general principles stretch back to Bentham and John Stuart Mill among others, but it is perhaps the indigenous culture that has much to teach us about collective wellbeing:

[T]he genesis of wellbeing stretches back as far as Greek and Roman antiquity. It is underpinned by the ethical principle of reciprocity or treating others as you expect them to treat you.

“Māori models of health and well-being, such as te Whare Tapa Whā (the house with four walls), a model developed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984, highlights the interconnectedness between our physical, social/ family, and spiritual environments, alongside our connection with our history and the land. If any one of the four walls is not well maintained, the house will eventually collapse. These concepts are foundational to indigenous ways of life. The West, after years of ignoring and marginalising these communities, is gradually starting to appreciate the value of their approaches.”

Clive draws up a framework for adding value to people’s lives in Aotearoa by using wellbeing as its foundation. He has highlighted initiatives that show how this will work, while acknowledging that they have a long way to go. He has also reached out for international models, particularly in places such as Finland. I enjoyed reading about these, notwithstanding having the disturbing thought lingering at the back of my mind that it may be too little, too late. This book was of course written before the human tragedy that we are witnessing in Ukraine.

Creating an environment in which people can genuinely flourish and thrive.

If you are feeling jaded and anxious about the current status of the world, many of these international models offer hope that, as individuals, we can contribute to the greater good and make the change that we want to see in the world. If you are feeling cynical and ready to give up, or simply don’t want to change, then you are unlikely to read this book anyway.

But if you read no other part of the book, read chapter 8 which discusses how to make GWB work, and consider some of the ideas in the appendices. To be clear, this is not some left-wing/Labour manifesto. The book quotes some of the more conservative politicians, such as Sir Bill English and Sir Don McKinnon, and their comments are often met with approval from the author. Clive draws on his skills as a lawyer to investigate, gather evidence, analyse its weight and then present a case for change. Whether you agree or not, most people will find at least one or two threads with which they can identify.

So, what did Clive hope to achieve in writing this book? The answer is best put in his words:

“What I have endeavoured to do is issue a challenge for all of us to join together and create societies and communities based on wellbeing, equality, and reciprocity. On clear, inclusive, flexible thinking. On caring, and love, and looking out for one another. Hopefully having convinced and inspired you to have a go at making wellbeing in integral force in how you live your life, I refer you to the following appendices, which offer guidance on what the power of wellbeing looks like lived and in action. … there is just one thing left to do: live a life empowered by and sharing wellbeing.” 6

One thing is for sure, at this time in global history, we have nothing to lose by looking for better ways to model our world.

1. P11. Page numbering in these footnotes refers to the Kindle version of this book.

2. P11

3. P27

4. P30

5. P35

6. P256

Clive Elliott QC