Library

By: Degrowth Conference Leipzig 2014

Results from the GAP Group "Agriculture and Food" at the Degrowth Conference in Leipzig 2014

By: Salina Centgraf

Abstract: Energy cooperatives (EC) are an increasingly important player for the transformation processes of current energy systems towards sustainability and decentralization in Germany. In 2012 approximately 750 EC existed which mostly produce wind and solar energy. The democratic organisation of EC, related to the source of their financial assets, makes them a special actor for creating publi...

By: Christian Felber

www.christian-felber.at: Geld ist ein Mittel zum Zweck. Es sollte uns dienen und uns das Leben erleichtern. Doch davon sind wir weit entfernt: systemrelevante Banken, Staatsschuldenkrise, Währungsspekulationen, Steueroasen – Geld beherrscht unser Leben. Wir sollten uns das nicht gefallen lassen. Ein demokratisches Gemeinwesen sollte die Spielregeln, nach denen Geld in Umlauf kommt und verwendet...

By: Fabian Scheidler, Matthias Schmelzer

This media entry is a stirring paper of the Group Assembly Process (GAP) at the Degrowth Conference in Leipzig in 2014. This paper belongs the group Money and Finance.

By: Stephan Lessenich

Von einem »Recht auf Faulheit« zu sprechen, erscheint in Zeiten von Krise, Arbeitslosigkeit und dem durch Hartz IV etablierten gesellschaftlichen Arbeitszwang geradezu obszön. Der französische Sozialist Paul Lafargue aber sprach sich bereits im 19. Jahrhundert vehement gegen die »seltsame Arbeitssucht« seiner Zeitgenossen aus. Ihm geht es in seiner Schrift vor allem um eine radikale Kritik d...

By: Richard Westra

Abstract: The “end of growth” still leaves questions for the design of future sustainable societies. The argument of this paper is that economic choices for the new societies are not unlimited and forms of economy cannot simply be conjured up ex nihilo. Anthropologist David Graeber, economic historian Karl Polanyi and political economist Karl Marx each have produced typologies of possible types...

By: Aram Ziai

Abstract: The paper links the academic debate about Post-Development approaches in development theory with the political and philosophical concepts of Buen Vivir, Ubuntu and Degrowth and asks to what extent the latter can be seen as PD concepts, as manifestations of PD in different cultural contexts. The examination yields that Buen Vivir undoubtedly qualifies as a PD concept, but Ubuntu and De...

By: Johannes Timaeus

Abstract: Everyday life and meaning represent two crucial aspects to understand the challenges society is facing towards its transition to a more sustainable future, beyond unrestrained growth. Schütz’ life world theory provides a theoretical framework that takes everyday life and meaning into focus. According to life world theory everyday life is enabled by everyday assumptions, i.e. the categ...

By: Clive Spash

Abstract: The values of modern industrial growth society are instrumental, anthropocentric and hedonistic. These contrast with the values of many others in society and their desires for a better world. For example, the environmental movement promotes non-humans, feminists call for a caring and inclusive economy and Marxists point to the social and community values of a less oppressive world. Wh...

By: Edina Vadovics

small-footprint living, change agents, well-being, sustainable lifestyles

By: Philippe Descola

Wie lassen sich Natur und Gesellschaft, Menschen und Nichtmenschen, Individuen und Kollektive zu einem neuen Gefüge zusammensetzen? Philippe Descola skizziert die Möglichkeiten einer neuen Ökologie der Beziehungen zwischen den Entitäten und zeigt, dass der Verzicht auf den westlichen Anthropozentrismus unabdingbar ist. (Beschreibung des Verlags) ISBN: 978-3-88221-085-9

By: Lyda F. Forero

Der menschengemachte Klimawandel ist eine der größten Herausforderungen unserer Zeit. In der Wissenschaft herrscht Einigkeit darüber, dass der Ausstoß von Treibhausgasen drastisch reduziert werden muss, um gravierende Klimakatastrophen zu verhindern. Doch wie lässt sich der Klimawandel auf globaler Ebene fair und gerecht gestalten? Welche Verantwortung tragen die Länder des globalen Nordens...

By: Donnie Maclurcan, Jennifer Hinton

This media entry is a stirring paper of the Group Assembly Process (GAP) at the Degrowth Conference in Leipzig in 2014. This paper belongs the group Solidarity Economy, Cooperatives and Social Business.

By: Wolfgang Striewe, Friedemar Schreiber, Kurt Schüle, Gudawar Singh, Welf Aumann

Abstract: The presented project sets high standards for the sustainable preservation of food by drying. Fruits and vegetables are purchased from regional and ecological farms and gardens. In addition orchard meadows are harvested and cared for in order to preserve these important habitats. The drying process is driven by solar energy. The process is adapted and synchronized to the availability ...

By: Andrea Vetter, Bettina Barthel

Abstract: A degrowth society, like all human societies that ever existed, will need technology. But which conceptual frameworks could be suitable to denote such a “degrowth technology”? We look at two different proposals: first the idea of “Convivial Technologies”, coined in the 1970ies by the dissident thinker Ivan Illich and recently newly adapted in the “manifest for conviviality” written by...

By: Christiane Kliemann

By Inez Aponte Humans are storytelling beings. In fact one could argue that it is impossible to make sense of the world without story. Storytelling is how we piece together facts, beliefs, feelings and history to form something of a coherent whole connecting us to our individual and collective past, present and future. The stories

By: Oksana Udovyk, Erika Öhlund

Abstract: The number of newly synthesized chemicals is continuously increasing, and many of these are now affecting ecosystems as well as human health. The overall objective of chemical risk assessments and management is to assess and contain the risks associated with the introduction of these chemicals. Evidence shows, however, that chemical assessments fail to live up to this objective. Asses...

By: Christiane Kliemann

By Nafeez Ahmed New research suggests that the ongoing global economic crisis is symptomatic of a deeper crisis of industrial civilization’s relationship with nature. The continuation of the crisis, though, does not imply the end of the world – but rather is part of major phase shift to a new form of civilization that could

By: Christiane Kliemann

By Matthias Schmelzer The following article is a translation from the forthcoming “Atlas der Globalisierung”, that will be edited by Le Monde diplomatique and the Kolleg Postwachstumsgesellschaften (Universität Jena) under the title “Less is More. The Postgrowth-Atlas” (“Weniger wird mehr. Der Postwachstums-Atlas”. Postwachstum. Degrowth. Décroissance. These are buzzwords of a newly emerging so...

By: Christiane Kliemann

By Friederike Habermann Growth is no option, considering that an absolute decoupling of growth and resource use has historically proven impossible – This position unites everybody who contributes to the Degrowth-conference. In the media too there is an increasing presence of growth critique. Even the German liberal weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” (No. 10/2013) ends an