Extended Summary

The growth-oriented capitalist system is increasingly being debated for its long-term sustainability, mainly due to its disruptive effects on ecological balances. However, following World War II, the notion that capitalist growth is indispensable for human progress became dominant. The degrowth approach is a significant objection to this thesis, offering an alternative imagination of a non-capitalist political-economic order. Nevertheless, the feasibility and societal acceptance of this imagination pose serious challenges.

The period following World War II witnessed significant economic expansion. This phase, which lasted until the 1973 Oil Crisis, is commonly referred to as the “golden age” of capitalism. During this phase, economic growth, capital accumulation, and technological advancements accelerated, yet growth’s ecological and social costs became increasingly apparent. For decades, the economic growth paradigm was regarded as the fundamental axis of economic and social development. However, since the 1970s, the natural limits of growth and its adverse effects on social justice have been increasingly questioned. The degrowth approach emerged as an alternative to growth dependency, advocating for reducing economic activities and preserving natural resources as a core political-economic model.

Degrowth should not only be considered an economic transformation model but also a theoretical framework that critiques the growth-dependent capitalist system. The fundamental assertion of this model is that economic growth is not inevitable, and policymakers should restrict economic activities in the interest of ecological sustainability. However, the degrowth movement does not solely advocate for economic contraction but also aims to promote social justice. Moreover, the degrowth approach should not be merely perceived as a model based on limiting economic activities but as a multi-dimensional paradigm encompassing social and political transformation.

This study analyzes the historical development of the growth paradigm and critiques directed at the degrowth approach. Through a literature review, the study evaluates how growth-oriented economic policies have evolved and examines the challenges faced by the degrowth movement in the wake of the resurgence of the neoliberal paradigm. The findings indicate that while the growth paradigm was rapidly embraced from the 1950s onward, by the 1970s, it began to face severe scrutiny due to increasing ecological concerns and social inequalities. With the rise of neoliberal policies in the 1980s, the growth-oriented economic model regained strength while the degrowth movement weakened. The degrowth approach has been criticized for potentially triggering economic decline, particularly in developing countries, and for struggling to attain societal legitimacy.

The degrowth approach argues that the growth-oriented paradigm threatens the planet’s future by disrupting ecological balance. However, the extent to which degrowth can effectively mitigate this threat remains debatable. One of the critical challenges is the establishment of political will to implement degrowth policies. Since economic contraction could lead to rising unemployment and poverty, policymakers tend to approach this issue with caution. In democratic nations, few politicians openly advocate for degrowth, making its practical implementation even more difficult. Furthermore, degrowth is not merely an economic issue but a fundamental critique of the capitalist growth model. The degrowth movement is rooted in the assertion that the capitalist system, which prioritizes capital accumulation, has lost its sustainability.

For policymakers to successfully implement the degrowth approach, they must support it with social policies and economic reforms. Alternative production and consumption models should be developed to ensure that degrowth can be applied to preserve societal well-being. Emphasizing the social justice dimension of the degrowth movement could contribute to its legitimacy. In conclusion, while the degrowth movement highlights the limits and negative impacts of the growth paradigm and proposes an imagination of a non-capitalist political-economic order, its practical realization involves substantial challenges and necessitates profound societal transformation.