Degrowth
“What distinguishes degrowth is that it holds together social, cultural and ecological questions, and in this way advances new ideas that could provide answers to the pressing questions of the twenty first century”
(Schmelzer, Vetter and Vansintjan, 2022: 30).
Degrowth is an umbrella term for several proposals who share the ambition of achieving global ecological justice, while radically reducing the energy and material throughput in the Global North. It can thus be considered a scientific paradigm, a political project, a meeting point for several movements and a fundamental critique to the economy and what it is said to be the obsession with economic growth.
Degrowthers propose a number of policies, institutions and everyday norms which are meant to contribute to social justice, self-determination and a good life for all, while keeping material and energy use within planetary boundaries. These include proposals like an Unconditional Basic Income, a Job Guarantee, Local currencies, co-cooperatives, time sharing, among others.
What to read about degrowth
- Schmelzer, M., Vetter, A., & Vansintjan, A. (2022). The future is degrowth: A guide to a world beyond capitalism. Verso Books.
- Hickel, J. (2020). Less is more: How degrowth will save the world. Random House.
- Kallis, G., Kostakis, V., Lange, S., Muraca, B., Paulson, S., & Schmelzer, M. (2018). Research on degrowth. Annual review of environment and resources, 43(1), 291-316.
- Rose, J. L. (2020). On the value of economic growth. Politics, Philosophy & Economics, 19(2), 128-153.
- Jackson, T. (2009). Prosperity without growth: Economics for a finite planet. Routledge.