The Best Degrowth Books - Recommendations from our Members

Authors: Kai Heron, Keir Milburn, Bertie Russell

Comments on this book: Everyone in the IDN should read this essential contribution to our theories of transition. It doesn't just sketch the contours of an economy of radical abundance—it provides a roadmap for getting there, grounded in dialectical materialism and conjunctural analysis. Within degrowth, we often struggle to move from imagining social-ecological utopias to figuring out how to make them a reality. Kai, Keir, and Bert are clear-eyed about the obstacles facing us, as well as the difficulty inherent to building the class power and popular protagonism required to overcome them. Championed by scholars including Jason Hickel, the concept of radical abundance is essential for moving degrowth from theory to practice. Here, for the first time, we have a book-length treatment of the subject. Don't waste your time with Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein; this is the future we deserve.

Book recommended by Charles Stevenson (external link), a Doctoral researcher & volunteer in the IDN Comms Circle.

Author: Kristen R. Ghodsee 
Comments on this book:  While not explicitly about degrowth, the book explores better ways of social organizing, criticizes capitalism, and interrogates ideas such as patriarchy, monogamy, and single family living. I found the historical examples of utopian living reassuring and inspiring-what the degrowth movement is trying to do is not something new, but rather it's the latest example of people trying to live better, happier lives. 

Book recommended by Lily Edelman-Gold (external link), a climate change professional and volunteer in the IDN Practice circle and Policy/Politics circle. 

Author: Jeroen J van Beele
Comments on this book:  It is a concise overview of the memes that make up our new economy starting from Krishnamurti: When you are free, you have no choice

the booklet can be downloaded for free from Free to Serve (external link)

Book (or "booklet") recommended by Jeroen J van Beele (external link), SAS and Credit Risk expert and volunteer in the Comms Circle at the IDN.

Authors: Matthias Schmelzer, Andrea Vetter and Aaron Vansintjan
Comments on this book: The introductory chapter is particularly good at debunking the various misrepresentations and misunderstandings of degrowth. Degrowth, they note, is both a critique and a proposal, and later sections explore both aspects. They cover the critiques of growth that come together in degrowth, definitions of degrowth, offering their own, the policy ingredients implied by degrowth and finally they attempt to say how that can come about. As they say, "...to start this journey, we need a broad but unified 'movement of movements' for life and against capitalist growth to confidently take the first steps along this path of transformation." I don't think there is a better introduction to degrowth.

Book recommended by Mark Burton (external link), an  Independent Scholar-Activist and volunteer in the IDN's Degrowth (conferences) Support Group circle. 

Authors: Michael Knapp, Anja Flach, Ercan Ayboga 
Comments on this book: What I like: David Graeber always held up Rojava as one of the clearest examples of what resilient post growth communities could look like, even in the face of the toughest conditions. This book shows why. It details the incredible levels of sufficiency and direct democracy that local communities can achieve when autocratic/capitalist/misogynist power structures and their restraints are removed.

Book recommended by Nicholas Owen, a Sustainability & Content Consultant and volunteer Practice Circle Representative at the IDN.

Author: Jason Hickel
Comments on this book: I really, really, really liked "Less is More" by Jason Hickel. I learned a lot about the history of capitalism, commons, enclosure/privatization, religion and more.

(Matt's addition: I too liked this book a lot. I would describe it as being my "gateway drug to the world of Degrowth" - it is a nice, fairly gentle introduction to the topic).

Author: Ernest Callenbach
Comments on this book: While definitely feeling dated now, Ecotopia stands out among the literature of its time for its ability to envision and portray what a society based around environmentalist ideals could look like. The protagonist's journey, from being a sarcastic American journalist to becoming a full-blown Ecotopian critical of its past, is worth a read. 

Author: Kim Stanley Robinson
Comments on this book:  Pacific Edge is a "slice of life" novel, the time of a summer, where we are faced with the questions of economic capture of democratic processes in an alternative eco-friendly California. As often, personal and political rivalries are intertwined, but the book offers an idea of how community involvement can yield sometimes unforeseen results.

Authors: A.C. Wise, Kristine Ong Muslim, Daniel José Older, Nisi Shawl, Iona Sharma, Jaymee Goh, Lavie Tidhar
Comments on this book: This is a collection of short-stories. They're not all utopian, but it feels good to have stories that are trying to center themselves around ideals of solidarity and environmental preservation while not shying away from the real difficulties this may yield. Everyone should find at least one that resonates with them.   

Author: Becky Chambers
Comments on this book: This is a breath of fresh air, a piece of meditative literature giving off post-apocalyptic chill vibes. Where did the robots go? is its narrative central question, and the protagonist's journey will lead them to get some answers. Insistence on low-tech and slowing things down definitely resonate with Degrowth imaginaries.

Books above recommended by Félix Garnier (external link), a founding member of the IDN and coordinator of the Europe Circle, now on the Board as a legal representative.