The Paradox of Sustainable Degrowth and a Convivial Alternative

Abstract

Insofar as development implies economic growth, the term 'sustainable development' appears to some as a contradiction in terms. However, such conclusions still lack a thorough examination of the conceptual structure of the two terms between which there is a purported contradiction. In order to address this issue, the present paper scrutinises some of the assumptions which underwrite the ideologies of sustainability and of development. It is argued that there are key assumptions which both ideas have in common, and that sustainable development is thus perfectly coherent on a conceptual level. It is alternatives which retain either term (such as 'sustainable degrowth') that are embroiled in paradox. The paper then examines two concepts for criticising the ideology of economic growth in other terms: dépense and conviviality. It is argued that the latter is preferable to the former for the purpose of developing post-sustainable critiques of growth.

Three Decades of Environmental Values: Some Personal Reflections

“…What makes this stranger is that the concerns raised thirty years ago over economic valuation, environmental commodification and the role of markets have never gone away and, in fact, a considerable body of research has accumulated, exposing problems with preference utilitarianism, reduction of value to a monetary equivalent, universal commensurability and markets as efficient resource allocators. Counters to the hegemonic discourse have also arisen and been debated in Environmental Values, such as degrowth (Schoppek 2020; Asara, Profumi, and Kallis 2013;Eversberg and Schmelzer 2018;Kruger 2019;Demaria et al 2013).…”

Towards Sustainable Construction Practices: How to Reinvigorate Vernacular Buildings in the Digital Era?

“…Echoing [6], conviviality is an intrinsic ethical value that correlates with "individual freedom realised in personal interdependence". "Survival, justice and self-defined work" are basic ideals of conviviality [6] that summarise key values included in the concept of sustainable development [31]. The social pillar of sustainability is associated with human wellbeing and includes a large list of issues related to education, social inclusion, health, safety, housing, employment and more [32].…”

Days of Decision

“…The specific studies illustrate the experiences of: (i) a couple downscaling from a modern gas heated urban apartment to a renovated more rural house in a hamlet with a wood fired stove; (ii) a single mother struggling with unemployment and lack of finances but devoting her time to raising her son in a frugal mode that includes strong relations with Nature and dedicating herself to care and cultivation of co-being; and (iii) a man focussed on low energy mobility after the collapse of a family business. The idea of more convivial technologies Environmental Values 29 (4) and ways of being correspond to degrowth (Kruger 2019). However, contrary to claims of worktime reduction amongst degrowth scholars, there may be more work and less comfort, but lives enriched through joyful relations with Nature and others.…”