Karin Bornett
Humanity has pushed planet earth to its limits. Continuous waste of resources, overconsumption in industrialized countries and the exploitation of nature - out of necessity or greed - leave neither space nor time for regeneration. If society does not fundamentally change worldwide, ecological collapse is inevitable. Many have now agreed.
The modern degrowth movement advocates “a good life for everyone”. By that their representatives meaninside a globally socially just and ecologically sustainable system. The movement's central point of criticism of the prevailing order is its foundation: the concept of growth. “We are currently driving against the wall and preventing sustainable business“, Says Franziskus Forster, Public Relations Officer at ÖBV-Via Campesina Austria, convinced. the Austrian mountain and small farmersinside association was founded in 1974 as a grassroots peasant movement and non-partisan association that conducts agricultural policy and educational work. As part of the world's small farmersindoor movement “La Via Campesina”, the ÖBV is committed to the principles of its founders to this dayinside a. This includes the "resistance to the philosophy of 'grow and soften'."
Degrowth is more than just a reduction
The term “degrowth” originated in the 1970s. Contemporary growth critics first brought the French word “décroissance” into play. In the 1980s and 90s, however, the discussion faded into the background with the end of the oil crisis. The critique of growth has experienced a new upswing since the beginning of the 21st century. Now under the term "degrowth" or in German "post growth". The idea wasn't new as early as the 1970s. John Maynard Keynes For example, as early as 1930 wrote about the “economic possibilities of our grandchildren” and saw stagnation not as a catastrophe, but as an opportunity for a “golden age”. His demands for redistribution, reduced working hours and the provision of public services such as education are also central cornerstones of the current degrowth movement. "A post-growth society essentially needs three starting points: Reduction - for example in resource consumption, cooperative forms of organization and co-determination as well as strengthening non-monetary work," says Iris Frey von Attac Austria.
There are numerous concrete proposals for action to implement the change. As an example of redistribution through taxes and subsidies, Forster cites a reform of land subsidies in agriculture. “If the first 20 hectares were subsidized twice and subsidies were generally linked to social and ecological criteria, the 'grow and turn out spiral' could be slowed down. In addition, work, such as caring for animals and soil, would again be more important. The undifferentiated area payments of the prevailing system damage the small-scale agriculture and only require a few quality criteria. "Frey adds:" We need a complete rethink and a comprehensive transformation of the economy. Various approaches can contribute to this. The initiatives for a supply chain law or cooperative organized initiatives, food coops and other innovative projects show that this rethinking is already taking place and a post-growth society is feasible. "
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