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Tim Jackson's influential book, "Prosperity Without Growth," has sparked widespread debate and has become a significant reference in sustainability discourse.

This article examines Jackson's central arguments for a shift towards a post-growth economy as a means to achieve sustainable prosperity and challenges it viability. Drawing on a range of sources, we analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Jackson's ideas and explore the counterarguments presented by scholars and policymakers. Through this comprehensive review, we hope to shed light on the potential of "Prosperity Without Growth" to guide sustainable economic and societal transformations while acknowledging its limitations and alternative viewpoints.

"Prosperity Without Growth" presents a compelling case for rethinking the dominant economic model based on perpetual growth and consumption.

Written BY: meryl sukumar

🌏🌿ANZ Director, Circular Carbon Economy & Sustainability | Expert Advisor | Global Centre of Excellence for Sustainability | Serving APAC & MENA | ESG | Governance | Circular Economy | Decarbonisation Roadmaps

Published: April 19, 2024

The concept challenges the conventional notion that continuous economic growth is necessary for prosperity and wellbeing. This article reviews Jackson's arguments in favor of a post-growth economy, while also examining the concerns raised by critics regarding the feasibility and implications of such a paradigm shift.

Jackson posits that a reliance on GDP growth as the primary measure of progress is unsustainable and detrimental to the environment and social welfare. He argues that pursuing growth indefinitely in a finite world is ecologically untenable and promotes inequality (Costanza et al, 2016; O’Neil et al, 2018).

Jackson contends that alternative indicators like the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) provide a more comprehensive assessment of prosperity by accounting for social and environmental factors. Understanding the zeitgiest of our times is necessary for all businesses, in order for us to understand how to benefit from the changing tides around the world. This shift away from merely economic metrics is noticeable, with ESG reporting becoming a growing concern, and businesses need to be best positioned to adapt and grow with these changes.

The heart of Jackson's argument lies in the urgent need to address resource constraints and mitigate the ecological impacts of unchecked growth. He draws from studies such as Rockström et al. (2009) and Steffen et al. (2015) to highlight the planetary boundaries that humanity must respect to avoid catastrophic environmental consequences. Jackson proposes a shift towards a circular economy and emphasizes the importance of reducing consumption levels, particularly in high-income countries.

Jackson acknowledges that transitioning to a post-growth economy poses challenges in terms of employment and social equity. He cites research by Piketty (2014) and Stiglitz (2012) to advocate for policies aimed at reducing inequality, such as progressive taxation and universal basic income, as means to ensure social stability during the transition.

Critics of Jackson's vision for "Prosperity Without Growth" raise valid concerns regarding its practicality and implications for economic stability. Some scholars argue that the decoupling of economic growth from resource consumption and environmental impacts may not be feasible on a global scale (D'Amato et al., 2019). Additionally, opponents suggest that stagnant or declining economies could exacerbate unemployment and jeopardize social welfare (Foster et al., 2010).

Another point of contention centers around the question of how to address the developmental needs of low-income countries while pursuing environmental sustainability. Scholars, such as Dasgupta (2021), advocate for inclusive growth strategies that prioritize poverty alleviation without compromising ecological objectives.

Jackson's "Prosperity Without Growth" presents a thought-provoking argument for redefining the path to sustainable prosperity. By reviewing academic sources both in support of and against Jackson's ideas, this article highlights the complexity of transitioning to a post-growth economy. While "Prosperity Without Growth" offers valuable insights into the pressing need for reimagining economic systems, the challenges and concerns raised by critics underscore the necessity of a balanced and nuanced approach to achieving sustainable development. Through continued scholarly discourse and evidence-based policymaking, the vision of a prosperous, equitable, and ecologically sustainable future can be realized.  

The benefits of having new and challenging concepts such as zero-growth prosperity are that they force us to reconsider our impacts and the way we live, trade, and operate in our world. In our new interconnected age, everything done in one part of the world has ramifications across to the most remote parts, take Tuvalu for example being the first digital nation as sea level rise made it uninhabitable. Whether or not zero-growth is the aim itself is not the point, the most important point is that this should stress to us a growing need for us to change our organisations from purely profit-centric, and consider the impacts our businesses have on environmental, social, and political scales. 

ESG criteria and reporting is just the beginning of this monumental shift.

Meryl Sukumar Aug 18, 2020 3 min 

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