Economics for Rebels
Less is more for more: Degrowth, sustainability and equality - Jason Hickel
Feb 21, 2022
Jason Hickel, advocate for Degrowth, discusses the solutions proposed by Degrowth to achieve sustainability and equality. Topics include challenging the effectiveness of capitalism in poverty reduction, addressing inequalities in energy and resource use, tools for closing the inequality gap, and the colonial dimensions of the ecological crisis.
38:14
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Quick takeaways
- Capitalism has predominantly benefited rich countries and individuals while exploiting the labor and resources of the global poor, perpetuating inequality and poverty.
- Addressing inequality both within and between countries is crucial in a degrowth scenario, and can be achieved through decommodifying key social goods, redistribution measures, and shifting towards more democratic economic governance.
Deep dives
Capitalism and Poverty Eradication
Capitalism is often credited with lifting people out of poverty, but the reality is more complex. While capitalism has undeniably led to economic growth, it has not effectively met the needs of the poor. The poverty line set at $1.90 per day by the World Bank is arbitrary and does not consider actual human needs. When using more empirically grounded poverty lines, it becomes clear that poverty has not been dramatically reduced. The reality is that capitalism has produced extraordinary wealth, but it has predominantly benefited rich countries and individuals while exploiting the labor and resources of the global poor, perpetuating inequality and poverty.
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