In recent decades, the growth dependency of capitalist economies has increasingly become object of critique. More and more voices are calling for a radical break with this growth logic, not least for reasons of ecological and social sustainability. Degrowth as a prominent critique of growth, however, goes beyond a purely economic transformational concept, as it offers a vision of a different society. A society that abandons growth would have to be based on completely different economic, social, cultural and political conditions.
This theme week on Degrowth focuses on “paths into transition”. It specifically addresses opportunities and approaches for a planned, democratic, and peaceful transition to an economy without growth dependency. We aim to discuss central questions such as which actors can promote such a transition; what challenges they confront; and how to avoid provoking new crises and cleavages.
We will problematize the concept of Degrowth with regard to three dimensions that require a postcolonial perspective. First, a common critique claims that although degrowth or post-growth may be conceivable in the rich countries of the Global North, they ignore the material and social realities of the Global South. In this sense, degrowth concepts have to engage with the allegation of Eurocentrism. A second focus is on work, because a reorganization of work and the societal division of labour seems to be crucial for any transition towards degrowth. Here, feminist perspectives in particular help to overcome the old yet still influential juxtaposition between productive employment and unproductive care work. Thirdly, degrowth is not least about a different understanding of nature. The Western subject-object dualism has been criticized many times, and we want to ask to what extent experiences from North and South can contribute to a different understanding of nature.
In the digital theme week, renowned experts will discuss these questions with us, in which theoretical as well as practical-activist questions go hand in hand.
Program:
20.01.2022: 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. (CET): Vandana Shiva
(Title to follow soon)
Comment: Andrea Vetter
Discussion
21.01.2022: 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. (CET): Jason Hickel
"Imperialism and the Degrowth Imperative"
Comment: Federico Demaria
Discussion
27.01.2022: 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. (CET): Ashish Kothari and Shrishtee Bajpai
"Eco-swaraj: Radical Ecological Democracy towards Justice and Sustainability"
Comment: Christine Löw
Discussion
28.01.2022: 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. (CET): Ariel Salleh
"Subliminal Economies"
Comment: Ana Carballo
Discussion
Registration:
Please register by sending an e-mail to: zukuenfte.der.nachhaltigkeit@uni-hamburg.de
Registered participants will receive the Zoom access details shortly before the Conference. Until then, we kindly ask for your patience.
Organization: Prof. Dr. Frank Adloff / Dr. Philipp Degens / Dr. Sarah Lenz
Degrowth scholars and activists often turn to past cases of social or socioecological transformation for inspiration to inform transformative action in the present. Yet, there has so far been insufficient awareness of the bias that comes with using any historical analogy. The insights provided by historical analogies are limited, but can fruitfully complement analyses of the present and future-...
Two loose movements have emerged on either side of the Atlantic with the aim of transforming the economy. In the U.S. –the new economy movement and in Europe - the degrowth movement . Both originated as critiques of the current political-economic system, and gained momentum after the financial crisis, since flourishing into nascent social movements composed of practitioners, academics, and act...
Degrowth stands for moving beyond the paradigm of the growth- and profit-oriented economic system. By means of a social-ecological transformation, a good life for all can be achieved. This means overcoming the imperial way of living of the global North, building alternatives, and creating positive narratives of our possible future. This also includes resisting useless large-scale projects, priv...
