Abstract
The article argues that contemporary social theory has not recognized the significance of Limits to Growth. A global overshoot in resource consumption suggests we are at a dramatic turning point in human history, the end of the era of constant 'wealth' expansion and the beginning of an era of severe limits and scarcity. This has profound implications for critical social thought, and for addressing current social problems. Recognizing limits will influence the form that a sustainable and just society must take, and transitions to it. Radical and large scale 'de-growth' involves localized, cooperative, frugal, self-sufficient and self-governing lifestyles, settlements and systems. Key elements in the required 'Simpler Way' are discussed as workable and attractive. More importantly, the article argues that these transitions are non-negotiable; no alternative can resolve the predicament of limits. There are important implications for transition theory and practice. Social theory will pursue new directions in this context, with greater convergence around support for an Anarchist perspective on social goals and means.Keywords: Limits to growth, social theory, transition, alternatives, The Simpler Way
Highlights
The extensive popular and academic literatures on global problems such as climate change, resource depletion, ecological destruction and armed conflict, generally portray them as mistakes amenable to technical solutions, which leave the basic structure and values of consumer-capitalist society intact. It is important for the following discussion to begin by putting the case that the 'limits to growth' predicament is of such a nature and magnitude that it cannot be solved without more radical change than even the traditional Marxist left has imagined
The following case is based on the claim that a sustainable society must be defined in terms of massive de-growth to mostly small scale and highly self-sufficient local economies, a very low GDP per capita which is zero-growth, frugal lifestyles, and a cultural transition away from preoccupation with wealth, materialism, individualism and competition
The degree to which each of these two claims will be regarded as satisfactory options by society, i.e., as achievable and desirable, will depend on how persuasive the exposition of the alternative social form and the path to it appear to be
Summary
The extensive popular and academic literatures on global problems such as climate change, resource depletion, ecological destruction and armed conflict, generally portray them as mistakes amenable to technical solutions, which leave the basic structure and values of consumer-capitalist society intact It is important for the following discussion to begin by putting the case that the 'limits to growth' predicament is of such a nature and magnitude that it cannot be solved without more radical change than even the traditional Marxist left has imagined. The following case is based on the claim that a sustainable society must be defined in terms of massive de-growth to mostly small scale and highly self-sufficient local economies, a very low GDP per capita which is zero-growth, frugal lifestyles, and a cultural transition away from preoccupation with wealth, materialism, individualism and competition These principles contradict the main assumptions and goals taken-for-granted in most theorizing about the nature of existing societies, the nature of the good society, progress, emancipation, revolution and utopia. Much the following discussion involves advocacy of a sort, i.e., it seeks to persuade the reader that the alternative social forms and processes required by the limits to growth would be workable and attractive
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