Degrowth in Movement(s)
by Nina Treu

Matthias Schmelzer

Corinna Burkhart

A dictionary of social movements and alternatives for a future beyond economic growth, capitalism, and domination.

Degrowth is an emerging social movement that overlaps with proposals for systemic change such as anti-globalization and climate justice, commons and transition towns, basic income and Buen Vivir. Degrowth in Movement(s) reflects on the current situation of social movements aiming at overcoming capitalism, industrialism and domination. The essays ask: What is the key idea of the respective movement? Who is active? What is the relation with the degrowth movement? What can the degrowth movement learn from these other movements and the other way around? Which common proposals, but also which contradictions, oppositions and tensions exist? And what alliances could be possible for broader systemic transformations?

Corinna Bukhart, Matthias Schmelzer, and Nina Treu have curated an impressive demonstration that there are, beyond regressive neoliberalism and techno-fixes, emancipatory alternatives contributing to a good life for all. Degrowth in Movement(s) explores this mosaic for social-ecological transformation - an alliance strengthened by diversity.

Reviews:
"This volume is simultaneously an anticipation and celebration of an alternative world." ~ Manu V. Mathai & Dimitris Stevis, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/04866134211045140

5 Star rating: The ideas expressed in this thought provoking collection of essays all have behind them the realisation that we live on a planet with finite resources and therefore perpetual economic growth is logically impossible. The environment should be protected and repaired and not destroyed as is happening under the current capitalist market driven world economy.

The fight to make people realise that there are other ways of living than by constantly wanting to increase GDP will be a very hard to win. However, the various ideas shown and the fact that the regrowth movement gives heart and hope for future generations. Attitudes must change and this book gives ideas for a more sustainable and fairer world.

The book does not pretend to be the answer to the degrowth challenge but if you have any interest in this area, or would like some further information then this a great place to start or further educate yourself. ~ George Monck, Amazon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. The ideas expressed in this thought provoking collection of essays all have behind them the realisation that we live on a planet with finite resources and therefore perpetual economic growth is logically impossible. The environment should be protected and repaired and not destroyed as is happening under the current capitalist market driven world economy.

The fight to make people realise that there are other ways of living than by constantly wanting to increase GDP will be a very hard to win. However, the various ideas shown and the fact that the regrowth movement gives heart and hope for future generations means attitudes must change and this book gives ideas for a more sustainable and fairer world.

The book does not pretend to be the answer to the degrowth challenge but if you have any interest in this area, or would like some further information then this a great place to start or further educate yourself. ~ Steven Pipe (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I wish I had a hard copy of this book. Degrowth is a very new concept to me and while reading this book and knowing that it's not just a movement, but a coalition of social movements seeking to remove privileges of those who currently live at the expenses of others, was a bit new to me in terms of how these groups go about it. I love that there was the focus on 'going green' and also looking at the systems that are in place in what we deem as globalization. Honestly speaking, I wish I had more time to read and analyze the chapters herein because I have more questions especially now that we can see the impact the current COVID-19 has and will be having on the economy, mental health and government structures all over the world. ~ Dora Archie Okeyo (Reviewer), NetGalley

How to get beyond the Green Economy? This rich account of the global degrowth alliance, in all its socio-ecological dimensions - horizontal and prefigurative, shows us how. Give this book to your neighbours and friends, and let degrowth grow! ~ Ariel Salleh, author of From Eco-Sufficiency to Global Justice

This is a powerfully important topic to engage. Physics and chemistry are indicating that we’re going to have to inhabit this planet differently - here are some ideas on how we might do that. ~ Bill McKibben, author and activist with 350.org

As many struggle to imagine worlds shaped by desires other than economic growth, this collection shows that multiform pathways are possible, and already in practice. The pluriversal approach supports readers to learn with wildly diverse initiatives and ideas. ~ Susan Paulson, editor of Degrowth: Culture, Power and Change

Moving beyond the growth economy needs a movement of movements. This is an excellent anthology, establishing a much needed dialogue between the different groups struggling for a good life for all within planetary limits. ~ Giorgos Kallis, author of Degrowth and co-editor of Degrowth: A Vocabulary for a New Era

Everyone knows the years ahead will be challenging, but they can also be filled with the praxis of hope. In writing a rich guide for how to change the world these chapters have, for some of their authors, been a process of metamorphosis. The same can be true for you. Think of this is a book as a flint. Find some friends, read it, and use it to spark your own transformations. ~ Raj Patel, co-author of A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things