DegrowthUKJun 26, 2025
Now Claudio Cattaneo (Barcelona).
Limits are both material and constructed, in a dialectical relationship.
This time the cause of the coming collapse is the shift of imaginary of the good life.
We have agency to make the change - don't just wait for governments to make the change.
Show threadDegrowthUKJun 26, 2025
"I have the privilege to consume differently".
Optimise the well-being to material consumption ratio.
e.g. Electric bikes - pointless for younger, fit people.
Don't think of growth as economic but personal. We have great potential to be better people if we deconstruct identity.
Show threadDegrowthUKJun 26, 2025
All a bit voluntaristic.
Show threadDegrowthUKJun 26, 2025

Erik Gómez (session chair). Where it gets more difficult is when we have to get specific: what limits? How much is enough?

Inge: Practice Theory - you get caught by trying to be good at various practices. People don't think of them in terms of consumption but in terms of being good and taking care of others. As grandparent she also has a weak point on consumption (indeed). So, to Claudio, personal motivation and opinion isn't anywhere near enough.

Show threadDegrowthUKJun 26, 2025
Lyla: still a challenge to create the policy instruments for sufficiently.
Not just a global North issue - more billionaires than ever in India. Global North within Global south, and vice-versa.
Show threadDegrowthUKJun 26, 2025
Erik: are there connections between limits and the good life.
Inge: let's go for collective abundance and private limitations.
Governments are essential to provide governance for good collective arrangements. Can't rely on voluntarist bottom-up tactics.
Lyla: can have both, policy e.g. wealth tax, and personal choice of frugality - cf. Ghandian approach. Self-limitation for the greater good.
Show threadDegrowthUK

Claudio: must press governments but it isn't enough. Show the government through personal action [but are they going to listen??]

#DegrowthOslo25

Jun 26, 2025 at 8:08amWeb