Lose less instead of win more: the failure of decoupling and perspectives for competition in a degrowth economy

Mauerhofer, Volker, (2013). Lose less instead of win more: the failure of decoupling and perspectives for competition in a degrowth economy. Environmental Values, 22(1), 43-57

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Mauerhofer, Volker
    Title Lose less instead of win more: the failure of decoupling and perspectives for competition in a degrowth economy
    Appearing in Environmental Values   Check publisher's open access policy
    Volume 22
    Issue No. 1
    Publication Date 2013-02
    Place of Publication Isle of Harris
    Publisher The White Horse Press
    Start page 43
    End page 57
    Abstract This paper aims to provide a comprehensive explanation for the likely failure in the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation, and also intends to offer perspectives on the new role of competition in a steady state or a degrowth economy. The analysis is based on five different scenarios, and uses the European Union as an example. It is concluded that we must prepare ourselves for a potential incompatibility between sustainability and economic growth. In this respect one can say that the current EU situation is in some ways already quite close to an economic system without growth, although far from sustainable as yet. Two of the four perspectives developed, regarding the new role of competition in an economy without growth, indicate an increase of direct and indirect competition over resources. The other two perspectives point out that regulatory public intervention as well as financial intervention will increase in order to ensure that - despite the revised role of competition - the poorest are still given a chance to develop (e.g. through basic minimum incomes), even in a degrowth economy.
    Keyword European Union
    Environmental degradation
    Financial crisis
    Steady state economy
    Sustainable growth
    JEL B50
    O44
    Q56
    Copyright Holder The White Horse Press
    Copyright Year 2013
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 0963-2719
    DOI 10.3197/096327113X13528328798237
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    Created: Mon, 14 Apr 2014, 11:57:52 JST