From the paper: Though the chances of dethroning growth by a huge increase of social movement activities in the near future seem very slim, there are reasons why we still have hope. Social change movements exist, and there are historical experiences indicating that in dire situations these movements can change and grow rapidly. Witness, as of this writing in November 2011, the Occupy Wall Street movement that is quickly spreading around the world. History also teaches us that the combination of ongoing social struggles and a sudden crisis can cause a rapid structural change in society. However, several questionable assumptions must be overcome in order to realize that such change is possible. These assumptions relate to 1) the connection between consumption and well-being, 2) the interpretation of historical revolutions, and 3) the character of wealth and social reality in modern societies.

Special Issue: Degrowth Symposium Capitalism Nature Socialism, Volume 23, Issue 1