An introduction to the Degrowth movement
A sense of urgency pervades global environmentalism, and the Degrowth movement is bursting into the mainstream. As climate catastrophe looms closer, people are eager to learn what Degrowth is about, and whether we can save the planet by changing how we live. This book is an introduction to the movement.
As politicians and corporations obsess over growth objectives, the Degrowth movement demands that we must slow down the economy by transforming our economies, our politics and our cultures to live within the Earths limits.
This book navigates the practice and strategies of the movement, looking at its strengths and weaknesses. Covering horizontal democracy, local economies and the reduction of work, it shows us why Degrowth is a compelling and realistic project.
Vincent Liegey is an engineer, interdisciplinary researcher, spokesperson for the French degrowth movement and co-author of Un Projet de Décroissanceons Utopia, 2013). He is also the coordinator of Cargonomia — a centre for research and experimentation on degrowth, a social cooperative for sustainable logistical solutions and local food distribution using cargo-bikes in Budapest.
Anitra Nelson is Honorary Principal Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is the author of Small is Necessary: Shared Living on a Shared Planet (Pluto, 2018) and is co-editor of Food for Degrowth (Routledge, 2020) with Ferne Edwards.
'This book is the perfect introduction to the burgeoning intellectual and activist movement of degrowth. Short, crisp and provocative, this is the place to begin if you want to know more about degrowth.' - Giorgos Kallis, author of 'In Defense of Degrowth'
'A superbly written reflection on degrowth politics - from 20th century intellectual origins to 21st century action agendas.' - Ariel Salleh, editor of 'Eco-Sufficiency and Global Justice'
'We are living the spectacular failure of capitalism as a way of ensuring social reproduction. Now is the time to break. With capital, with labour, with development, with quantitative growth. This is an excellent introduction to the degrowth perspective, an important contribution to an urgent debate.' - John Holloway, author of 'Change the World Without Taking Power'
'We can improve people's lives right now, without any growth at all, simply by sharing what we already have more fairly and investing in public goods. This book paints a picture of the new economy that lies ahead - an economy that enables human flourishing for all within planetary boundaries' - Jason Hickel, author of 'Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World'
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: Exploring 'Degrowth'
2. Decolonising Our Growth Imaginaries
3. Degrowth in Practice
4. Political Strategies for Degrowth
5. The Degrowth Project: A Work in Progress
Postface: 'Now Is the Time of Monsters'
Appendix 1: A Platform for Degrowth
Appendix 2: The Content of the Unconditional Autonomy Allowance
Appendix 3: Implementing the Unconditional Autonomy Allowance: Transitionary Steps Notes
Selected Further Reading and Links
Index
Hardcover ISBN: 9780745342016
eBook ISBN: 9781786807601
224 pages
129mm x 198mm