Degrowth
Economic growth cannot be constant due to several factors: firstly, the overall ecological footprint of a growing global economy leads to a natural disaster; secondly, an economic disaster will take place one day because of the growing mutual debt of world market actors. An alternative way of thinking could be a degrowth movement, which suggests that the principle of growth should be abandoned and this is a positive phenomenon. Proponents of degrowth economics assume that in the future, economic systems in general and production in particular will seize to be growth-oriented as an end in itself. The pursuit of profit will be replaced by the value systems based on the value of a public good, the revival of local communities and economies, and the building of partnerships among people. This practice is aimed not at the scope of economic relations (GDP growth, output, productivity, etc.), but at its quality.
The degrowth concept implies that society can function better without requiring continuous economic progress. Economic fairness, social well-being and environmental restoration can be realized by horizontal circulation of resources, and not with the accumulation of capital in the hands of individual market participants. Moreover, this approach helps corporations and businesses understand that they are not responsible for the constant growth, allowing them to focus on the quality of goods and services, to improve the quality of life of entrepreneurs themselves, to invest in what is really important to them, and to strengthen human ties.
In a perfect world, the degrowth economy operates on a global scale and is focused on restructuring the entire economic process on the Earth.
The degrowth concept implies that society can function better without requiring continuous economic progress. Economic fairness, social well-being and environmental restoration can be realized by horizontal circulation of resources, and not with the accumulation of capital in the hands of individual market participants. Moreover, this approach helps corporations and businesses understand that they are not responsible for the constant growth, allowing them to focus on the quality of goods and services, to improve the quality of life of entrepreneurs themselves, to invest in what is really important to them, and to strengthen human ties.
In a perfect world, the degrowth economy operates on a global scale and is focused on restructuring the entire economic process on the Earth.
Universal Problem
The global economy is focused on production growth and increase in performance indicators, which leads to overproduction of goods. Those goods in turn remain unclaimed and harm the environment, which is exploited for the sake of growth.
Solution
Abandonment of growth, transition from extensive to intensive use of resources.
Target Image
In the future, the cycle of production, consumption and utilization is balanced, and it does not lead to overheating of the economy.
Experiment Framework
Supporters of the movement are exploring the possibilities of countries, communities and individuals to use available resources and conduct intensive farming . An international conference is held every two years to exchange best practices. Nonprofit local economic associations, projects for cohabitation and support of small businesses can be considered as polygons of the degrowth economy.
Tools and Technologies
- Local production and distribution of resources
- Recycling of recyclable materials, transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources
- Waste minimization
- Support ethical businesses and the nonprofit sector of the economy that aims to maintain the public well-being, not at growth
Scaling Plans
From a social point of view, existing institutions (national states, social security, education, medicine, finance, etc.) have developed in close contact with the growth-oriented capitalist economy, so that only economic degrowth measures will not be enough for systematic changes. First and foremost, the plans are related to finding a way of ensuring balanced food production cycles. The challenge is that organic farming that does not use fossil fuels will not be able to feed the world's growing population, additional measures will be required. Moreover, there are problems with the perception of the definition of degrowth: the word growth has positive connotations, and it is psychologically difficult to abandon it.
Standards and Values
- Social and economic fairness
- Ethical production and organization of labor (production is safe for the environment, people and animals, responsible waste management)
- Collaboration instead of competition
- Respect for humans and nature, restoration of ecosystems
Communities
- Degrowth is an organization dedicated to research, training, education and organization of events aimed atfinding degrowth opportunities
- Post-Growth Institute (Donnie Maclurcan) is a post-growth economics research and education institute
- GROWL is a pan-European project for training of couches and educators in the field of de-growth (Tim Jackson, "Prosperity without Growth")
Allies
- Circular economy is an economy built on the renewal of resources, the recycling of secondary raw materials, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy
- Universal basic income is regular monetary payments by the state to each citizen, regardless of their income level, willingness to do work and availability of supporting documents
- Buen Vivir is a movement revitalizing indigenous communities in Latin America
- Slow Movement advocates abandoning the idea of productivity and slowing down the pace of life
- B Corporations is a type of business that combines profitability and commitment to values, ethical businesses such as The Body Shop, which does not test products on animals and supports reforestation.Or Icelandic Glacial, a water producer that uses only green energy in production
What you could do in the Kruzhok for joining the approach
- Try to reuse resources used in production
- Minimize waste
- Analyze your consumption and think of the ways to reduce it
- Support local manufacturers
