Transcending capitalism Policies for a post-growth economy
In response to such arguments, most economists tend to insist that technological innovation, better design, and market mechanisms will mean that economies can and should continue growing indefinitely.
The main political implication of the growth paradigm is that governments shape policies and institutions with the aim of promoting economic growth, giving society a ‘pro-growth’ structure. Just recall how tediously Prime Minister Turnbull repeated his ‘jobs and growth’ mantra during the last election campaign.
‘Earth as a Petri dish’ has become worryingly apt, given that the dominant colony seems to be consuming all the available resources and is at risk of poisoning itself from its own wastes.
This vision is supported by consumerist cultures that seek – and indeed expect – ever-rising material living standards. On the flip side, any policies and institutions that might inhibit economic growth are presumptively rejected.
Nevertheless, as an expanding global population continues to pursue ever-rising material living standards by way of sustained economic growth, the global economy is being driven into gross ecological overshoot, with climate change being only one of a range of troubling environmental disturbances.
Indeed, the metaphor of ‘Earth as a Petri dish’ has become worryingly apt, given that the dominant colony seems to be consuming all the available resources and is at risk of poisoning itself from its own wastes, raising questions about whether humanity can muster the intelligence to avoid the fate of common bacteria. Techno-optimists and free marketeers promise ecological salvation via continuous ‘green growth’, all the while Earth is being destroyed as global capitalism marches resolutely on.
To make matters more challenging still,
