Abstract
In his recent editorial, Professor Labonté(1) surveyed international initiatives calling for a well-being global economy. Most of these initiatives offer glowing visions but implausible theories of change. The 1974 United Nations call for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) provides a case study of an earlier instance of well-being economics (although not labelled as such). The NIEO included specific institutional and regulatory initiatives directed to achieving a fairer and more liveable world. However, it was defeated through the rise of neoliberalism from the 1980s as well as internal contradictions within the movement for a NIEO. The history of the NIEO provides useful lessons regarding the political dynamics of global transformation. Any policy initiatives, directed towards reforming the global economy for the well-being of people and planet, need to be based on a robust theory of change.