Going for Growth? Is it time to abandon economic growth?

For the first two thirds of the 20^th Century it was widely assumed that economic growth was an unalloyed good thing. Supporters of Socialism and Capitalism argued about which system could provide faster growth. But environmental awareness gradually grew over the 20^th century and the desire for economic growth has come under increasing scrutiny although all mainstream politicians still propose economic growth as the answer to most problems.

Critics of both economic growth and capitalism have adopted a variety of views over time. Defenders of capitalism and growth have also varied in their responses, with some advocating for green or sustainable growth while others instead deny the importance of the environment entirely. Some have even argued that it would be right to pursue degrowth, despite the historic negative association with the terrible social impacts of recessions and economic depressions.

This talk, followed by discussion, presents the debates on economic growth, degrowth and the environment in order to help participants decide whether they think that growth should be abandoned as an aim.

Dr Doug Bamford is lecturer in lifelong learning (Political Philosophy) at the University of Oxford, teaching courses relating to politics, philosophy and political economy. He is author of Rethinking Taxation (Searching Finance, 2014) and numerous papers and book chapters (mostly on tax justice, including articles in the Journal of Applied Philosophy and Moral Philosophy and Politics).

Doug has taught lifelong learning courses for adults in Oxford for around ten years and has two upcoming courses on the theme of this event starting in January: Economics on a Finite Planet: Sustainability, Growth and Degrowth (online) and Economics and the Environment (Summertown – Oxford).