Degrowth between normativism and reality

This article addresses the increasing debates over the limitations of high-growth models that have contributed to environmental degradation and polycrises. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we look into the basic characteristics and differences between the alternative degrowth and similar...

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Main Authors: Aljaž Kunčič, Marjan Svetličič
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institute of Social Science, Belgrade 2024-11-01
Series:Stanovništvo
Subjects:
Online Access:https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/645
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author Aljaž Kunčič
Marjan Svetličič
author_facet Aljaž Kunčič
Marjan Svetličič
author_sort Aljaž Kunčič
collection DOAJ
description This article addresses the increasing debates over the limitations of high-growth models that have contributed to environmental degradation and polycrises. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we look into the basic characteristics and differences between the alternative degrowth and similar new development models; examine the paradigm through the lens of its critics; and look into its viability. The analysis highlights that while degrowth presents a theoretically compelling alternative to traditional growth models, it faces significant practical challenges in implementation, particularly due to its reliance on deep systemic changes and shifts in public values. In the empirical section, we test the hypothesis that countries with better sustainable development progress are more successful than those prioritizing economic outcomes. To do this, we show graphically and analyze the correlation between the average GDP growth and changes in the sustainable development measure using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. We rank countries based on their sustainable development and economic performance, averaging these rankings to identify potential degrowth leaders over the past 20 years. Our findings indicate that, while theoretically appealing, the degrowth model faces significant challenges in practice, with no statistical evidence supporting a negative correlation between degrowth and sustainable development progress.
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publisher Institute of Social Science, Belgrade
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spelling doaj-art-69d1e6adf7de461eb7551a997d2992fb2025-08-20T02:28:15ZengInstitute of Social Science, BelgradeStanovništvo0038-982X2217-39862024-11-0162210.59954/stnv.645Degrowth between normativism and realityAljaž Kunčič0Marjan Svetličič1UNAMA, Kabul (Afghanistan)University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Social Sciences, Ljubljana (Slovenia) This article addresses the increasing debates over the limitations of high-growth models that have contributed to environmental degradation and polycrises. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we look into the basic characteristics and differences between the alternative degrowth and similar new development models; examine the paradigm through the lens of its critics; and look into its viability. The analysis highlights that while degrowth presents a theoretically compelling alternative to traditional growth models, it faces significant practical challenges in implementation, particularly due to its reliance on deep systemic changes and shifts in public values. In the empirical section, we test the hypothesis that countries with better sustainable development progress are more successful than those prioritizing economic outcomes. To do this, we show graphically and analyze the correlation between the average GDP growth and changes in the sustainable development measure using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. We rank countries based on their sustainable development and economic performance, averaging these rankings to identify potential degrowth leaders over the past 20 years. Our findings indicate that, while theoretically appealing, the degrowth model faces significant challenges in practice, with no statistical evidence supporting a negative correlation between degrowth and sustainable development progress. https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/645degrowthzero growthsustainable developmentsystemcapitalism
spellingShingle Aljaž Kunčič
Marjan Svetličič
Degrowth between normativism and reality
Stanovništvo
degrowth
zero growth
sustainable development
system
capitalism
title Degrowth between normativism and reality
title_full Degrowth between normativism and reality
title_fullStr Degrowth between normativism and reality
title_full_unstemmed Degrowth between normativism and reality
title_short Degrowth between normativism and reality
title_sort degrowth between normativism and reality
topic degrowth
zero growth
sustainable development
system
capitalism
url https://stnv.idn.org.rs/STNV/article/view/645
work_keys_str_mv AT aljazkuncic degrowthbetweennormativismandreality
AT marjansvetlicic degrowthbetweennormativismandreality