Every capitalist system relies on growth and accumulation, producing inequality somewhere along the process. Our economies continue to grow, yet the so-called benefits of growth have not trickled down and improved people’s lives across society. Inequality has actually been growing: the richest 1.5% own almost 48% of the world’s wealth (UBS Global Wealth Report, 2024). To live well within planetary systems, we need to shift how our financial wealth, power, and resources are distributed across society.
In this policy primer, we offer an alternative to the growth-centred welfare narrative. We demonstrate that the obsession with GDP is incompatible with solving the ecological crisis; and that more growth is not necessary to create economic security and social wellbeing in Europe. The way that welfare is currently organized is dependent on growth, but that is an institutional construct and a political choice.
That’s why we advocate for eco-social welfare: this alternative approach involves the fair distribution of wealth, power and resources; investments in essential services; and centring of community wealth and practices of care. Drawing on national and municipal examples across Europe, we highlight key transition paths needed for decoupling welfare from growth and as strategic insights to advance a welfare agenda rooted in eco-social justice for all.
Postgrowth creates possibilities for building a new economic narrative and policy agenda, beyond that of the liberal green and the traditionally growthist left. This agenda creates greater wellbeing for all, including essential workers, care-givers and care-workers, the unemployed and workers affected by the transition, and communities affected by climate change and economic insecurity.
This primer is the second of a series, read the Food System Beyond Growth policy primer and keep your eyes peeled to our website for the upcoming primer on Work !
In this primer series, Commons Network, together with Oxfam Novib, explores how European countries can break away from dependency on economic growth and prioritize social wellbeing and thriving ecosystems. This series is the product of discussions facilitated by Commons Network and partners in the Postgrowth Pan-European Network since 2023. The network brings together Members of Parliament, trade union representatives, and postgrowth experts to discuss policies and strategies to advance the postgrowth agenda.