Library

By: Niko Paech, Clive Spash

Scientific lecture at the 4th International Degrowth Conference for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity in Leipzig in 2014. Presentations by Niko Paech and Clive Spash. Niko Paech: An Introduction to Post-growth Economies Clive Spash: A Future Social Ecological Economy: Reality-Transformation-Utopia Discussion with Niko Paech and Clive Spash

By: Pier Luigi Tosi

Abstract: Mechanism is at the origin of the actual economical conception, based on endless growth. It is founded on Descartes's thought, with its strong distinction between mind and material world, continued by Bacon and Newton (as Latouche points out). Some years before and some years after Descartes, Montaigne and Spinoza respectively proposed significantly different conceptions. The French o...

By: Dorothee Rodenhäuser

Abstract: The debate on the environment and the negative effects of economic growth has been shaped by controversies revolving around issues such as the substitutability of natural resources or the role of technology and work in a “green” economy. Depending on their respective points of view, the disputants reach very different conclusions on possible pathways towards a socially and ecologicall...

By: Petra Wächter

Abstract: Energy as the basis for daily activities on an individual level and for economic activities on a societal level gives fundamental importance to our lives. Components that have to be considered for a successful energy transition include energy technologies, policy framework, behavioural changes, changes of institutional settings, and system dynamics. Critical issues in the field of ene...

By: Degrowth Conference Leipzig 2014

Results from the GAP (Group Assembly Process) Group Consumption at the Degrowth Conference in Leipzig 2014 Proposals for the Transformation > Reformation of the standardization processes (p.e. ISO) so that marginalized (especially in the global south) are more effectively involved. > Create time and space to build communities (= alternatives to shopping). > Mainstreaming of criti...

By: Christiane Richard-Elsner

Children Play Urban planning Autonomy

By: Panos Petridis

Abstract: As the concept of socio-ecological transformation is increasingly gaining momentum in both academic research and policy circles, contributions from the degrowth debate come very timely. This paper analyses the recent developments in the degrowth literature, highlighting its visions as regards transformation, by presenting its ontological assumptions, actors and strategies, as well as ...

By: André Reichel

system theory; technology; co-evolution; sustainability

By: Vincent Liegey, Stéphane Madelaine, Christophe Ondet, Anne-Isabelle Veillot, Thomas Avenel

From the text: An abandoned city, another one plagued by demonstrations fuelled by petro-dollars… nothing new really. Except that we are not talking about Detroit, the Greek crisis or the arrival of massive investments into our industries originating from the Gulf countries. No, today, the collective “Un Projet de Décroissance” (« A Degrowth Project« ) takes a look at sports. Sport that created...

By: Unbekannt

Documentation of the event "Are there „natural“ limits to growth? An interactive debate" at the 4th International Degrowth Conference for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity in Leipzig in 2014. From the conference programme: In this workshop we engage in a critical discussion on approaches of “natural limits”. The following questions will guide our discussion: Are there natural limi...

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: 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: Cecília Szigeti, Anita Borzán

Abstract: In our study we wanted to find an answer to the question whether we can find sustainable countries if we compare the values of different composite indicators? We examined three composite indicators (HDI, HPI, EPI) and the ecological footprint and GDP. Based on our analysis two indicators independent of each other and also independent of the GDP, these are the HPI and the EPI. The clas...

By: Barbara Muraca

„Gut Leben“ bietet einen guten Einstieg in die Postwachstums- oder Degrowth-Debatte. Barbara Muraca beschreibt den internationalen Degrowth-Diskurs und verbindet diesen mit den deutschen Postwachstumsansätzen. Sie zeigt auf, dass zu „gut leben“ Solidarität, Selbstbestimmung und Freiheit gehören. Wichtig für sie ist auch eine feministische Perspektive, die das Ganze der Arbeit in den Blick nimmt...

By: Ashish Kothari

Abstract: Globalised development and centralised natural resource governance have seriously threatened the ecological security of countries like India, with rapid loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. Official responses to such loss have mostly been top-down, undemocratic protected area systems and conservation laws. However, across the country as in other parts of the world, communities and civ...

By: Lúcia Fernandes

Abstract: The work aims to present the general aspects of a recently started postdoctoral research project at the Research Centre in Sociological and Organizational Sociology (SOCIUS) and the Centre for Social Studies (CES), Portugal. Some empirical data is from the research project Communication and Political Engagement with Environmental Issues - COMPOLIS (I am part of the project research te...

By: Michele Raspanti

Abstract: The central point of this paper is to stress how much our vision of man and of his rule in the world can influence our behavior towards nature (and also towards other men, but this problem is not discussed here). Here are analysed three philosophies: dominion, which is linked to growth, coordination, linked to sustainable development and cooperation, linked to degrowth philosophy. Eac...

By: Gregor Betz

Abstract: How can solutions for contemporary crises be implemented in modern societies, in which entertainment advanced to the guideline of our life and in which the process of ‘eventisation’ can be considered in almost all social fields? Based on outcomes of an ethnographical sociological research project, fun-emphasising protest events will be analysed, that try to integrate short-term thrill...