Degrowth is a term used for a social movement that critiques the paradigm of economic growth. It is a political, economic, and social concept that advocates the reduction of consumption. Born in the 1970s, it is based on the idea that economic growth (measured by macro-indicators such as the GDP or the population level) does not guarantee or thwart the improvement of the living conditions of
humanity. According to the actors of the
degrowth movement, the industrialization process has three negative consequences: dysfunctions of the
economy (mass unemployment, precariousness, etc.), alienation at work (stress, moral harassment, multiplication of accidents, etc.), and
pollution, responsible
… Read more for the deterioration of ecosystems and the disappearance of thousands of animal species.
Human action on the planet would threaten the
human species itself, so
degrowth aims to stop making growth a goal. It is based on political
ecology, ecological economics,
feminist political
ecology, and
environmental justice, pointing out the social and ecological harm caused by the pursuit of infinite growth and Western development imperatives.
Degrowth emphasizes the need to reduce global consumption and production and advocates an ecologically
sustainable society. The movement arose from concerns over the perceived consequences of the
productivism and
consumerism associated with industrial societies such as the declining quality of the
environment (
global warming,
pollution, threats to biodiversity).
Degrowth thought is in opposition to all forms of productivity, including the current form of
sustainable development.
Sustainable development is rooted in mainstream development ideas that aim to increase capitalist growth and consumption.
Degrowth, therefore, sees
sustainable development as an
oxymoron, as any development based on growth in a finite and environmentally stressed world is seen as inherently unsustainable.
Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. With the industrial
revolution, but particularly in the 20th century, mass production led to overproduction?the supply of goods would grow beyond consumer demand, and so manufacturers turned to planned obsolescence and advertising to manipulate consumer spending. Experts often highlight the connection of
consumerism with issues like the growth imperative and overconsumption which have larger impacts on the
environment, including direct effects like overexploitation of natural resources or large amounts of waste from disposable goods, and larger effects like climate
… Read more change. Similarly some research and criticism focuses on the sociological effects of
consumerism, such as reinforcement class barriers and creation of inequalities.
Anti-capitalism is a political
ideology and movement encompassing a variety of attitudes and ideas that oppose capitalism. In this sense, anti-capitalists are those who wish to replace capitalism with another type of
society, usually some form of
anarchism or
socialism.
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