The economic concept of degrowth, which challenges the traditional pursuit of endless growth, is gaining popularity as younger generations face economic stagnation and environmental damage.
Ephrat Livni reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Degrowth argues against growth-driven capitalism, advocating for meeting basic needs through reduced production and consumption.
- The idea, popularized by thinkers like Kohei Saito, has gained attention as people question the environmental cost of overconsumption, especially in wealthy nations.
- Critics argue that degrowth could limit human freedom and ignore the potential of human innovation to solve resource challenges.
Key quote:
Degrowth “focuses on what is necessary to fulfill everyone’s basic needs.”
— Kohei Saito, associate professor of philosophy, University of Tokyo
Why this matters:
Degrowth represents a significant shift in thinking about economics and sustainability, especially as the climate crisis worsens. It challenges the assumption that growth is always beneficial, raising questions about how we balance human needs with environmental limits.
Related: Degrowth movement challenges traditional views on economic growth
