This "Read for You" No. 59 is a summary of the book "Ralentir ou périr" (Slow Down or Perish) by Timothée Parrique, published in 2022 by Éditions du Seuil. An economist, researcher in ecological economics, and specialist in degrowth, the author examines the limits of the growth model in the face of ecological and social challenges. He begins with a central premise: an economy cannot grow indefinitely on a planet with finite resources.

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Read for You: Growth and prosperity in the ecological age

According to Timothée Parrique, growth has become an end in itself, even though GDP measures neither well-being, nor inequality, nor environmental damage. He also challenges the concept of "green growth," arguing that the decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressure remains insufficient to allow for infinite growth within planetary boundaries.

Based on this observation, the author presents degrowth as a transition. It involves a planned and democratic reduction in production and consumption to lighten our ecological footprint while ensuring social justice and well-being. This reduction primarily concerns wealthy countries, in order to free up resources for those that need them more.

Post-growth is the goal of this transition: an economy that no longer seeks to constantly increase production, but rather to satisfy needs while respecting ecological limits. It prioritizes well-being, wealth sharing, citizen participation, and free time over the relentless pursuit of productivity and profit.

Ultimately, Timothée Parrique argues that growth is not inevitable, but a choice. Degrowth would allow us to gradually move away from a model based on permanent expansion to build a post-growth society, where the goal is no longer to produce ever more, but to thrive without growth.

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About the "Read for You" collection

This publication is part of a series of summaries of academic work related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These notes do not represent the opinion of the DoTank and the organization assumes no responsibility for the viewpoints expressed; they are intended to provide readers with resources to fuel their thinking and encourage them to further explore these works and their authors.

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