Murphy, Mary P.
(2013)
Translating degrowth into contemporary policy challenges: a
symbiotic social transformation strategy.
Irish Journal of Sociology, 21 (2).
pp. 76-89.
ISSN 0791-6035
Abstract
Wright poses us the challenge of building a world of equality while working
in the world of today. This article addresses the challenge of transitioning to
a degrowth economy and eco-socialism which focuses on distribution over
production and which requires a strong ethic of equality at the heart of society.
Degrowth aims to address over-consumption by addressing real need, reducing
wants, ensuring greater distributive equality and ultimately by suppressing
production. However, the detailed mechanisms of how a steady-state economics
can provide a quality of life and employment, eliminate poverty and promote an
egalitarian society require immense work to flesh out. This article points in the
desired direction of travel and outlines some initial steps. It fleshes out two key
obstacles to degrowth, the issue of employment and the impact for revenue and
expenditure arising from a move towards degrowth. It points to the relevance
of degrowth arguments for feminist and democratic movements and how the
degrowth strategy offers potential for new political coalitions. It concludes by
reflecting on the limitations of symbiotic transformative strategies and the need
for a language capable of imagining and articulating real utopias.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
degrowth; eco-socialism; employment; care; political alliances;
imaginaries; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology |
| Item ID: |
6673 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Mary Murphy
|
| Date Deposited: |
15 Dec 2015 17:00 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Irish Journal of Sociology |
| Publisher: |
Sociological Association of Ireland |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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