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Scientific paper

Text

Policies for a Post-Growth Economy

Author:
Samuel Alexander

Entry type:
Scientific paper

Year of publication:
2016

Publishers:
Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute

Language:
English

External content:
To the content

From the introduction: This paper provides a summary case for why there are, in fact, limits to growth, and outlines a range of bold policy interventions that would be required to produce a stable and flourishing post-growth economy. The analysis draws on and attempts to develop a rich array of thinking from literatures including ecological economics, eco-socialism, degrowth, and sustainable consumption. For decades a huge amount has been written in critique of growth economics, but the literature on what a post-growth economy would look like, or how to get there, is far less developed. This is inhibiting the movement for change.
I acknowledge that most people do not recognise the need for a post-growth economy and therefore would reject my policy proposals as unacceptable. But as the limits to growth tighten their grip on economies in coming years and decades, I believe the debate will inevitably evolve, and the question will not be whether a post-growth economy is required, but rather how to create one – by design rather than disaster.

MSSI Issues Paper No. 6 April 2016

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