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This book explores the concept of degrowth, beginning from a basic
assumption, not of resource depletion, as is common in most
literature in the field, but rather from a state of abundance,
arguing that there is a vast amount of energy on the planet waiting
to be utilized by all its inhabitants. Adopting a sociological
approach, Onofrio Romano argues that the growth momentum is not
simply a broadly shared "value," but the physiological outcome of a
specific institutional frame. The problem is that in its mainstream
formulation the degrowth alternative shares with the growth-led
regime some basic anthropological, political, and institutional
pillars. In order to build a real alternative, Romano suggests
reviewing degrowth in the light of the depense notion by Georges
Bataille. According to Bataille, our societies have no problem with
acknowledging scarcity, but with dealing with the surplus energy
that calls us to act for a qualified life. So, in order to erase
the growth obsession, we have to ward off the "servile" dimension,
i.e., the utilitarian activities needed for the mere reproduction
of life, to regain sovereignty, as reflected in the de-thinking
subject. Innovative and provocative, Towards a Society of Degrowth
will be of great interest to students and scholars of degrowth,
sociology, social anthropology, political ecology, and ecological
economics.
This book explores the concept of degrowth, beginning from a basic
assumption, not of resource depletion, as is common in most
literature in the field, but rather from a state of abundance,
arguing that there is a vast amount of energy on the planet waiting
to be utilized by all its inhabitants. Adopting a sociological
approach, Onofrio Romano argues that the growth momentum is not
simply a broadly shared "value," but the physiological outcome of a
specific institutional frame. The problem is that in its mainstream
formulation the degrowth alternative shares with the growth-led
regime some basic anthropological, political, and institutional
pillars. In order to build a real alternative, Romano suggests
reviewing degrowth in the light of the depense notion by Georges
Bataille. According to Bataille, our societies have no problem with
acknowledging scarcity, but with dealing with the surplus energy
that calls us to act for a qualified life. So, in order to erase
the growth obsession, we have to ward off the "servile" dimension,
i.e., the utilitarian activities needed for the mere reproduction
of life, to regain sovereignty, as reflected in the de-thinking
subject. Innovative and provocative, Towards a Society of Degrowth
will be of great interest to students and scholars of degrowth,
sociology, social anthropology, political ecology, and ecological
economics.
The speed of social dynamics has overtaken the speed of thought.
Adopting a dialectical perspective towards reality, social theory
has always detected faults in the dominant social pattern,
foreseeing crises and outlining in advance the features of new
social models. Thought has always moved faster than reality and its
ruling models, ensuring a dynamic equilibrium during modernity.
Despite any dramatic social crisis, theory has always provided exit
routes. The tragedy of current crisis lies in the fact that its
social implications are exasperated by the absence of alternative
views. This book identifies the causes of this mismatch between
thought and reality, and illustrates a way out.
The speed of social dynamics has overtaken the speed of thought.
Adopting a dialectical perspective towards reality, social theory
has always detected faults in the dominant social pattern,
foreseeing crises and outlining in advance the features of new
social models. Thought has always moved faster than reality and its
ruling models, ensuring a dynamic equilibrium during modernity.
Despite any dramatic social crisis, theory has always provided exit
routes. The tragedy of current crisis lies in the fact that its
social implications are exasperated by the absence of alternative
views. This book identifies the causes of this mismatch between
thought and reality, and illustrates a way out.
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