Tim Jackson and Peter Victor (among others) have made a major breakthrough to develop a Macro Ecological Economics in order to go beyond the shortcomings of GDP and growth paradigm. However, such a breakthrough is still missing at the micro level. Despite the rapid flourishing of citizen initiatives of transition all over the world, the literature is quite silent regarding a micro socio-ecological economics consistent with Degrowth ideas. The goal of this article is to advance the idea of developing a “micro socio-ecological economics”. The article is articulated around three main sections that tackle the three different levels of microeconomics (individual, groups, and local-regional “development”). The first section aims at changing our vision and conceptualization of the human agent by shifting from “homo economicus” to the “responsible person” capable of conciliating self and collective interest. The second section is dedicated to offer a comprehensive view of the collective level, i.e., how individuals interact and form groups in order to undertake collective actions. The third section offers a comprehensive approach of alternative mechanisms of coordination beyond market and State notably by exploring the potential of the “poles territoriaux de cooperation économiques” that are implemented in France by social and solidary economy actors. In order to achieve such a difficult goal we build upon the extensive work achieved by scholars for advancing the human development paradigm (capabilities and needs approaches) and by scholars and practitioners working on solidarity economy. Moreover, insights from Elinor Ostrom’s work on the Commons will also be integrated.

This media entry was a contribution to the special session „Towards a micro socio-ecological economics: defining prosperity without growth at the micro level “ at the 5th International Degrowth Conference in Budapest in 2016.