The radical economic proposal that rich countries must shrink GDP to achieve sustainability, challenging growth-dependent capitalism.
Confronting Sacred Cow
Degrowth argues perpetual GDP growth is incompatible with planetary boundaries. Proponents say “green growth” (decoupling GDP from emissions) is a myth—resource use and emissions track GDP despite efficiency gains. The solution: planned reduction of production and consumption in wealthy nations, redistribution, shorter work weeks, and local economies.
Academic to Activist
Degrowth conferences began in 2008, but the movement gained social media traction around 2014-2016. Books like Less is More (Jason Hickel, 2020) popularized the concept. The pandemic’s economic pause—cleaner air, lower emissions, people questioning “essential” work—gave degrowth new relevance. Could we live better with less?
Political Viability Questions
Critics (economists, politicians) called degrowth political suicide—voters won’t accept lower living standards. Proponents countered that material consumption doesn’t equal wellbeing, and climate collapse ensures worse living standards. By 2023, degrowth remained fringe politically but influential in climate justice circles, offering theoretical alternative to “sustainable growth” contradictions.
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