34. International Public Finance Conference
An Evaluation On The Idea Of Growing Or Shrinking As An Alternative Approach To The Solution Of Environmental Problems
Arman Zafer YalçınThe idea of not growing in economic terms, widely known as degrowth, is an ecological solution method developed as an alternative to the understanding of classical economi growth. It’s a reaction to the understanding of unlimited growth of classical economic growth. Fundementally, it can be regarded as a sub product of green idea philosophy which developed in 1970’s as a counter action against capitalist economic system. It claims that unlimited growth of economic activities disturb the ecological balance and depletes the resources. Based on these allegations, it advocates that the economy call growth process shall firstly be stopped and degrowth shall be gradually. Though some tangible proposals have been made in order to maket he above mentioned arguments real, the question as to whether degrowth is possible within capitalist economic system has yet to be answered clearly. The relation between the idea of degrowth and development is also a determinant. When one looks from only prosperity of more than 1 billion people starving in the rest of the world. Therefore, even thouh the idea of degrowth fundementally stands on a correct ground, it can not produce a tangible, comprehencive and sustainable solution against today’s world’s bitter realities. Accordingly, the idea of degrowth seems not to go beyond argumets of only ecological activist and some sensitive scholars living in developed western countries.
