Definition
Per (Degrowth) Degrowth is a school of thought that challenges GDP as the main indicator of economic progress, amongst others. Degrowth states that rather than pursuing economic growth at all costs, Degrowth proposes “a reduction in the material size of the global economy” and instead within planetary boundaries and a good life for all.
Why It Matters
Degrowth states that economic growth is ecologically and socially unsustainable, creating inequalities and it simply cannot be decoupled from resource use.
Example
Convivial technology per Degrowth (2022), are tools and technology which are accessible (not governed by one body of experts), shared, easy to repair, and “ecologically oriented in their purpose, fabrication and use.”
Limitation
Critics of Degrowth argue that it’s economic growth that secures more environmental protections: they cite the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) which describes a pattern whereby initially as countries experience rapid industrialisation and economic growth, pollution worsens. However, as the countries develop and become more aware of environmental concerns, impacts decrease because of deindustrialization (increases in service sector and more laws). (Stallworthy)
Work cited:
Degrowth. “Degrowth.” Degrowth, 2022, degrowth.info/degrowth.
Stallworthy, Ben. “What Are the Criticisms of Degrowth?” Population Matters, 28 Nov. 2024, populationmatters.org/news/2024/11/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth/.
