Library

Scientific paper • 2014

Environmental philosophy

Abstract: The central point of this paper is to stress how much our vision of man and of his rule in the world can influence our behavior towards nature (and also towards other men, but this problem is not discussed here). Here are analysed three philosophies: dominion, which is linked to growth, coordination, linked to sustainable development and cooperation, linked to degrowth philosophy....

Scientific paper • 2014

The Advantages of a Community Currency – An OCA Perspective

By: Carolin Rauch

Abstract: There is an ongoing debate about the advantages and disadvantages of community currencies in the literature. Proponents of a local currency outline the economic, social and ecological benefits. However, empirical studies find mainly social networking effects and almost no economic influence. It seems that the economic advantage of community currencies does not prevail (at least at...

Scientific paper • 2014

The form of degrowth

By: Onofrio Romano

Abstract: The ecological and social crises, standing at the origins of the political engagement for degrowth, are not the outcome of execrable “values” but mainly of the “horizontal” form adopted by growth regime. Horizontalism is founded on a clear separation between “functions” and “values”: the social pattern is not aimed to the implementation of specific values or ideas of justice. The...

Scientific paper • 2014

Ecological macroeconomics: a critical review

By: Beatriz Saes, Ademar Romeiro

Abstract: Ecological economics recognizes the physical limits to economic growth, generating a paradigmatic criticism of mainstream economics. However, a macroeconomics corresponding to this vision hasn’t been consolidated. This paper describes the most relevant ecological macroeconomics alternatives; identify their bases in economic approaches and the main policies and measures suggestions. We...

Scientific paper • 2014

Introducing Permaculture to Economic Ecosystems - the Integrative Analysis Method

By: Michael Schlauch

Abstract: This paper explores new ways of applying ecological knowledge to solve economic problems in a manner that suits the complexity of society and environmental challenges. This is done by developing the integrative analysis method. The integrative analysis uses systems ecology in order to characterize economic systems with their energetic properties and model them as ecosystems. This...

Scientific paper • 2014

System representations of degrowth and sustainable consumption arguments for telling more empowering stories

By: Michal Sedlacko, Inge Røpke

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the process and results of construction of system representations of several respected and widely discussed arguments on sustainable consumption and degrowth, thereby providing new inputs into the debate on societal and economic alternatives and their practical and political implementation. We constructed system representations using...

Scientific paper • 2014

The concept limitations to ecosystem services valuation

By: Marta Szkaradkiewicz, Jan Kazak, Szymon Szewranski

Abstract: The concept of ecosystem services has recently gained relatively a lot attention in the academic debates. The concept is derived from the ecological economics discipline. Thus it combines ecological implications and economic approach. The ecosystem services may be perceived as a different approach to the notion of natural capital which is one of the capitals sustainable development...

Scientific paper • 2014

Political Ecology and Degrowth

By: Michalis Theodoropoulos

Political Ecology; Degrowth; Crisis Exit Strategy; Green movement

Scientific paper • 2014

The significance of everyday life, values and meaning for a more social and ecological society: a life world perspective

By: Johannes Timaeus

Abstract: Everyday life and meaning represent two crucial aspects to understand the challenges society is facing towards its transition to a more sustainable future, beyond unrestrained growth. Schütz’ life world theory provides a theoretical framework that takes everyday life and meaning into focus. According to life world theory everyday life is enabled by everyday assumptions, i.e. the...

Scientific paper • 2014

The Dawn of Modern Era: Montaigne and Spinoza as Alternatives to Cartesian Weltanschauung.

By: Pier Luigi Tosi

Abstract: Mechanism is at the origin of the actual economical conception, based on endless growth. It is founded on Descartes's thought, with its strong distinction between mind and material world, continued by Bacon and Newton (as Latouche points out). Some years before and some years after Descartes, Montaigne and Spinoza respectively proposed significantly different conceptions. The French...

Scientific paper • 2014

Adam Smith's

By: Till Wagner

invisible hand, growth, degrowth

Scientific paper • 2014

Principles for Institutional Design of Future Degrowth Eco-sustainable Societies

By: Richard Westra

Abstract: The “end of growth” still leaves questions for the design of future sustainable societies. The argument of this paper is that economic choices for the new societies are not unlimited and forms of economy cannot simply be conjured up ex nihilo. Anthropologist David Graeber, economic historian Karl Polanyi and political economist Karl Marx each have produced typologies of possible types...

Scientific paper • 2014

Questions of good life - some reflections with regard to the Swiss society

By: Dietmar Wetzel

Abstract: This contribution attempts to raise some conceptual reflections about the debate with regard to the conditions of an embodiment of the “good life” into social movements, especially with regard to the situation in Switzerland. Although we find – in comparison with other countries – in Switzerland a very rich und prosperous society, there are emerging alternative life forms which are no...

Scientific paper • 2014

Neoclassical, post-Keynesian and neo-Marxian perspectives on degrowth

By: Steffen Lange

Abstract: The question, how an economy can be organized without growth has received little attention from many strands of macroeconomics. In this paper I investigate this question, from the point of view of three prominent strands of macroeconomic theories: neoclassical, post-Keynesian and neo-Marxian approaches. The view of neoclassical theories is, that we need a different technological...

Misc • 2014

Gutes Leben statt Wachstum: Degrowth, Klimagerechtigkeit, Subsistenz – eine Einführung in die Begriffe und Ansätze der Postwachstumsbewegung

By: Matthias Schmelzer

Knapper Überblick über unterschiedliche Strömungen die es in der deutschsprachigen wachstumskritischen Szene und der Postwachstumsbewegung gibt.

Misc • 2014

“Wachstumsrücknahme”, “Postwachstum”, “Entwachsen”? An introduction to concepts and approaches of the German degrowth movement.

By: Matthias Schmelzer

Rough sketch of different currents of the Germans-speaking growth critical scene and degrowth movement.

Misc • 2014

Gut Leben. Eine Gesellschaft jenseits des Wachstums.

By: Barbara Muraca

„Gut Leben“ bietet einen guten Einstieg in die Postwachstums- oder Degrowth-Debatte. Barbara Muraca beschreibt den internationalen Degrowth-Diskurs und verbindet diesen mit den deutschen Postwachstumsansätzen. Sie zeigt auf, dass zu „gut leben“ Solidarität, Selbstbestimmung und Freiheit gehören. Wichtig für sie ist auch eine feministische Perspektive, die das Ganze der Arbeit in den Blick nimmt...

Misc • 2014

SOS: Alternatives Alternatives to Capitalism

By: Richard Swift

An investigation of the alternatives to capitalism, including socialism, anarchism and deep ecology.

Scientific paper • 2014

Degrowth and Demonetization: On the Limits of a Non-Capitalist Market Economy

By: Andreas Exner

From the text: “This [what degrowth scholars describe] is a non- capitalist market economy model of degrowth, the viability of which shall be discussed further on in three steps. First, I contrast with reciprocity the historical specificity of exchange, markets, and money in the modern sense. Second, I discuss the logical connection between market, money, and capital. Third, I analyze the...

Scientific paper • 2014

Potentials for prosperity without growth: Ecological sustainability, social inclusion and the quality of life in 38 countries

By: Max Koch, Martin Fritz

Prosperity, Steady-state economy, Ecological sustainability, Social inclusion, Wellbeing, GDP