What does degrowth mean? A few points of clarification. Issue 7 (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hickel, Jason
• Is Part Of: Globalizations. Volume 18:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1105
• Page End: 1111
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: Degrowth -- COVID-19 -- recession -- global South; Globalization -- Periodicals; 327.17
• DOI: 10.1080/14747731.2020.1812222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7731

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Degrowth is a planned reduction of energy and resource use designed to bring the economy back into balance with the living world in a way that reduces inequality and improves human well-being. Over the past few years, the idea has attracted significant attention among academics and social movements, but for people new to the idea it raises a number of questions. Here I set out to clarify three specific issues: (1) I specify what degrowth means, and argue that the framing of degrowth is an asset, not a liability; (2) I explain how degrowth differs fundamentally from a recession; and (3) I affirm that degrowth is primarily focused on high-income nations, and explore the implications of degrowth for the global South.