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What is degrowth?

Degrowth critiques the global capitalist system which pursues economic growth at all costs, causing human exploitation and environmental destruction. It exposes the interconnection of systems of oppression such as capitalism, extractivism, colonialism, and patriarchy. As a social movement, a field of academic research and a practice, degrowth advocates for societies that prioritise social and ecological well-being. It proposes a radical (re)distribution of power, wealth and resources, a reduction in the material size of the global economy, and a shift in common values towards care, solidarity and autonomy. Degrowth means transforming societies to ensure environmental justice and a good life for all within planetary boundaries.

Essential for degrowth is:

  • Striving for a self-determined life in dignity for all. This includes deceleration, time welfare and conviviality.
  • An economy and a society that sustains the natural basis of life.
  • A reduction of production and consumption in the global North and liberation from the one-sided Western paradigm of development. This could allow for a self-determined path of social organization in the global South.
  • An extension of democratic decision-making to allow for real political participation.
  • Social changes and an orientation towards sufficiency instead of purely technological changes and improvements in efficiency in order to solve ecological problems. We believe that it has historically been proven that decoupling economic growth from resource use is not possible.
  • The creation of open, connected and localized economies.


     
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Why the word "degrowth"?

The word “degrowth” is often questioned as problematic or misleading. For some it has a negative connotation and a false equivalence with a recession. Yet, the origin of the term is to be found in French, where “décrue” refers to a river going back to its normal flow after a disastrous flood. The English word “degrowth” became prominent after the first international degrowth conference in Paris in 2008. It has since then been established in academic writing as well as in the media and is used by social movements and practitioners. An advantage of using a term that affirms its opposition to the system of economic growth is that it is hard to co-opt - like “sustainable” or “eco” have been. Besides, a term which is intentionally provocative creates disruption in a world where the critique of economic growth is a radical statement. 

 

We object to all right-wing, racist and sexist forms of growth critique. 

Further introductory material:

 

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