Ruch degrowth – zmiana społeczna? Pytania o sukces życiowy (studia przypadków)

• Authors: Aneta Duda

Title variants

EN

The degrowth movement: A social change? Questions about life success in life (case studies)

Abstracts

EN

Presenting the ideas of the degrowth movement, the article tries in particular to paint as complete and detailed a picture as possible of the motivation of 38 people (Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks) who opted for a radical change of lifestyle. Panel studies were carried out with the use of semi-structured interviews focused on motives behind these changes, their nature, reactions of the environment, and the overall balance of profits and losses due to resigning from the once held prestigious positions. The decision to change the lifestyle turned out to be a well-thought-out process of difficult transformation, involving a plethora of dilemmas and social costs. The motivation behind it was of extra-egocentric character. The idea of development became more important than status-related profits. Interestingly, the respondents didn’t see it as a goal in itself, but rather as a means to achieve their social goals. While the degrowth movement remains a marginal phenomenon, it may pose a challenge to materialism, pragmatisation of social attitudes, and the socially sanctioned ‘success – career’ path that follows them. Consequently, it can trigger certain social phenomena and restrain ideologised structures by tapping into qualities typical of individual attitudes which, albeit scarce, require commitment, self-discipline, and sacrifice. It appears to be one of many attempts at dealing with the problems of modern times.

Keywords

PL

ruch degrowth; downshifting; slow life; style życia; praca w korporacji

EN

degrowth movement; downshifting; slow life; lifestyles; work in a corporation

• Publisher: Narodowe Centrum Kultury
• Journal: Kultura Współczesna. Teoria. Interpretacje. Praktyka
• Year: 2020
• Volume: 110
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 92-107

Contributors

author

Aneta Duda

• https://orcid.org/0000000323493517

Identifiers

DOI

10.26112/kw.2020.110.09

Biblioteka Nauki

1857040