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Degrowth: tentative ideas

about a research agenda

Giorgos Kallis,

ICREA Researcher

2nd International Conference on Degrowth,Barcelona,

28 March 2010

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This presentation

1. Definition of degrowth.

2. My take on the state of

degrowth research.

3. Tentative research agenda.

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1. What is degrowth?

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Three notions

Reduction of production and consumption in

physical terms through downscaling (and

not just efficiency improvements).

Decolonization of the imaginary (a-growth)

Decommodification reducing the domainof market rationality.

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The degrowth propositions

1. Growth is unsustainable.

2. Degrowth has environmental and

social benefits (double dividend).

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2. State of degrowth

research

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Strengths

Plurality of approaches.

Creative mix of different approaches

and ideas.

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Contributions

Unsustainability of eco-modernization(rebound effect, Jevons paradox, etc)

Political, cultural and anthropologicalcricisims of development, economism,technocentrism and utilitarianism.

(Re)emerging fresh proposals (basicincome, reduced working hours, resourcesanctuaries, moratoria, etc) and practicalexamples.

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Weaknesses

Programmatic laundry lists.

Lack of solid theoretical grounding ortheoretical development.

We do not engage enough with our owncontradictions.

Empirical works on alternatives are oftenmethodologically and theoretically weak.

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3. Tentative

research agenda

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Tentative research agenda

Strengthen propositions.

Engage with contradictions.

Develop theory.

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Strengthen propositions

Unsustainability of growth

Sustainability of degrowth

How to? The process of transition.

Characterize the end state.

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Unsustainability of growth

Strengthen theoretically and

empirically the case against the

possibility of dematerializing growth.

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Sustainability of degrowth

Hypothesize/model impacts on Population.

Renewable Energies.

Employment and Social Security. Social infrastructures, etc.

Metabolic scenarios (e.g. how many people

can be fed by oil-free agriculture and atwhat levels?).

Psychological effects under differentscenarios vis--vis human behavior.

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How to? The process of

transition Structural barriers. Can capitalism

degrow sustainably?

Political processes and transformation.

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The end state

The degrowth economy.

The degrowth democracy.

International relations.

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Contradictions

Degrowth vs. a-growth.

Ecotaxation vs. Decommodification.

Imperative vs. Political proposal.

Well-being vs. Anti-utilitarianism.

Community

Democracy vs. degrow this, but growthat.

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Theory

Can we build a coherent theory/ies?

Do we have to?

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What is a theory

How and why things work the way they do?

Why x is happening and not y or z?

Agents of change.

Central problem.

Value theory.

Marxists have a theory. Neoliberal

economists have a theory. We dont.

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Tentative research agenda

Strengthen propositions.

Engage with contradictions.

Develop theory.

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Thank you!

giorgoskallis@gmail.com