Varieties of degrowth: an analysis of archetypes

Abstract The concept of degrowth rejects perpetual economic growth in favor of planetary health and social wellbeing. As the degrowth scholarship matures and responds to newly arising circumstances, perceptions about the concept are becoming more varied and nuanced. This phenomenon has not been studied systematically, potentially limiting theoretical and practical progress. To address this gap, this study identifies clusters of perceptions about degrowth, presented as archetypes and derived from a literature review and analysis of data from 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews. Four archetypes are identified: eco-reformist, systemic change, transformation, and sufficiency-based degrowth. Each is a distinct way of understanding degrowth and reflects economic or cultural pathways, top-down or bottom-up strategies, and idealistic or practical perspectives. The archetypes also overlap in certain ways, including assumed definitions and perceptions about global conditions impacted or resolved by degrowth. The study’s contribution is specification of the varieties of degrowth that can enable further theoretical development and facilitate policy dialogue.