Library

By: Patrik Gažo, Philipp Chmel, Dirk Raith, Jéssica Chainho Pereira

Standard session (discussion following 4 presentations) Degrowth Cooperatives as Alternative to the Development Paradigm: The Case of the Integral Minga Cooperative The session will start by explaining the objectives of the study, the theoretical framework on post-development, degrowth and cooperativism. Then, the studied cooperative and the methodology used will be explained. Finally, th...

By: Philipp Chmel

Presentation [part of the standard session "Co-operatives, work and degrowth"] The study explores how the concept of democratic ownership can contribute to a bottom-up, workers-led social-ecological transformation of the Austrian aircraft sector, targeting the Viennese airport in particular. Therefore, the study will involve qualitative interviews with workers and workers’ councils, followin...

By: Viviana Asara

Abstract: Under regimes of austerity, social movements´ transformative eco-politics may appear endangered. What kinds of environmentalism and radical imaginaries can unfold in social movements in crisis-ridden societies? I focus on the ‘movement of the squares’ during its post-encampment phase, with a case study of three urban projects of the Indignados movement in Barcelona. Observation of the...

By: Andro Rilović

Presentation [part of the standard session "Theories of Transformation"] This paper will demonstrate why, when envisaging degrowth transitions and strategies for achieving them, it is essential to seriously engage with arguments concerning the limitations of the State in enacting radical systemic change, emanating from the long and fruitful history of anarchist thought. Presenters: Andro ...

By: Mira Pütz

Presentation [part of the standard session "Theories of Transformation"] In order to develop and implement socio-ecological (economic) policies the processes and structural conditions of representation in democracies today need to be rethought, re-imagined and changed. Citizens’ assemblies can help us to do just that, starting now. Presenters: Mira Pütz (Sciences Po) Language: English ...

By: Max Koch, Andro Rilović, Julia Tschersich, Mira Pütz

Standard session (discussion following 4 presentations) Structure, Action and Change: A Bourdieusian Perspective on the Preconditions for a Degrowth transition - video A deprioritization of economic growth in policy making in the rich countries will need to be part of a global effort to re-embed economy and society into planetary boundaries. However, societal support for a degrowth transi...

By: Maja Lindström

Original title: Leva inom planetgränserna, Ett jordat liv. The film is based on interviews with author and journalist David Jonstad and agronomist and research leader Johanna Björklund, who guides us away from the utopia of eco-modernism: that with new technology we could live on as today, but in a sustainable way. Together they explain how we can "democratize survival" through sharing the l...

By: Christian Kerschner, Melf-Hinrich Ehlers, Mario Pansera

Many of the benefits anticipated from technology in the 1960s remain unrealized today. Alongside the optimism that drives technological development, more sceptical views that regard the promises of technology with reflection, mistrust, and even hostility, have emerged within Western societies. One such group is the Degrowth community, a heterogenous group of researchers and activists who questi...

By: Giorgos Kallis

"Self-limitation is not about constraining, but about defining collectively as societies our limits." This blogpost introduces the key ideas of Giorgos Kallis' new book Limits. Why Malthus was wrong and why environmentalists should care (Stanford University Press, 2019)

By: Patricia E. Perkins

Abstract: Economic inequality reduces the political space for addressing climate change, by producing fear-based populism. Only when the safety, social status, and livelihoods of all members of society are assured will voluntary, democratic decisions be possible to reverse climate change and fairly mitigate its effects. Socio-environmental and climate justice, commoning, and decolonization are...

By: Bengi Akbulut

Abstract: Critical perspectives on economic growth have laid bare the fragility of the assumed link between material growth and socio-ecological wellbeing. The appeal of economic growth, however, goes beyond the economic sphere. As a societal goal, growth is often mobilized to pre-empt and/or co-opt opposition around issues of social justice and redistribution. Not only does the constitution o...

By: Katherine Sobering

Abstract: This article examines how rumors impact democracy and transparency in a cooperative workplace. Although literature on rumors generally analyzes them as negative to workplace culture, the author argues that rumors constitute a critical aspect of democratic participation. Drawing on long-term ethnographic fieldwork in a worker-recuperated business in Argentina, the author shows how mem...

By: Matthias Schmelzer, Steffen Lange, Susan Paulson, Giorgos Kallis, Barbara Muraca, Vasilis Kostakis

Abstract: Scholars and activists mobilize increasingly the term degrowth when producing knowledge critical of the ideology and costs of growth-based development. Degrowth signals a radical political and economic reorganization leading to reduced resource and energy use. The degrowth hypothesis posits that such a trajectory of social transformation is necessary, desirable, and possible; the cond...

By: Hubert Weiger, Ralf-Uew Beck, Josef Göppel, Ute Vogt, Anton Hofreiter, Katja Kipping, Michael Müller, Susanne Götze, Jörg Sommer, Heike Walk, Bern Marticke, Joachim Wille, Susanne Götze, Verena Kern, Susanne Schwarz

Heft 19 des Magazins movum zum Thema Demokratie. Kurzbeschreibung: Gelingende Partizipation ist entscheidend für den nötigen Wandel. Mehr Bürger­beteiligung und direkte Demokratie machen uns widerstandsfähig gegen Populismus. Das Heft als PDF Die Infogafik als PDF

By: Riccardo Mastini

Although some have criticised the Paris agreement as unfair for western countries, we may need to go even further towards consumption-based accounting to limit climate change and support an inclusive economic model.

By: Katja Kipping

Translation of a keynote-speech by Katja Kipping held at the 16th BIEN Congress in Seoul 2016. Video of the original speech (german language)

By: Leandro Vergara-Camus

Keywords: Marx, capitalist accumulation, competition, control of the means of production, de-commodification

By: Ashish Kothari

Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, India, explains the term "Radical Ecological Democracy" and he nourishes the narration with unique examples from India. Youtube-channel EnvJustice Vocabulary

By: Jason Hickel

A blog post by Jason Hickel which is the fourth part of a discussion between him and Branko Milanovic. Chronology of the discussion Original blog post by Branko Milanovic "The illusion of “degrowth” in a poor and unequal world" First reply by Jason Hickel "Why Branko Milanovic is wrong about de-growth" Reply by Branko Milanovic "The illusion of degrowth: Part II" Second Reply by Jason Hi...

By: Stefania Barca

KEYWORDS: Degrowth, labor, alienation, ecofeminist political economy