ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on some key passages in the longer-term history of the precursors and roots of the current degrowth alternative along three main ideal-typical paths: the English-speaking critique of economic growth; the Southern European degrowth perspective; and the German discussions about alternatives to growth. Skepticism of economic growth and the search for alternatives are on the rise. The English-speaking debate on economic growth has particularly been shaped by ecological economists. The Southern European tradition has a very broad thematic focus that not only includes social, economic, and environmental issues, but also strongly emphasizes the cultural dimension and issues of democracy and autonomy and – at least in some currents – a quite radical questioning of capitalism, industrialism, and modernity. The German strand of growth critiques has been particularly shaped by the strong sustainability debate critiques of green growth, and by its organizational base in the environmental and anti-globalization movements.
