Publication: The Road to Qualitative Growth: Revisiting the Concept of Degrowth (In Hungarian)

Kovács, O. (2025): A minőségi növekedés felé – a nemnövekedés értékelése (The Road to Qualitative Growth: Revisiting the Concept of Degrowth). Közgazdasági Szemle, Vol. 72., No. 1, January 2025, pp. 59-91, DOI:  https://doi.org/10.18414/K.2025.1.59 

The concept of degrowth, which advocates more restrained quantitative economic growth, is mostly referred to as a sitcom theory in mainstream economics. The aim of this paper is to constructively critique this tendency towards qualitative growth and to promote an in-depth professional dialogue. It points out that the current socio-economic configuration does not allow for the achievement of sustainable development, hence the need for a more radical shift towards quality growth is in order. It then critically reviews the concept of degrowth representing a shift towards qualitative growth. In doing so it highlights the concept’s system view-related shortcomings, the ambiguity of its nexus with capitalism and democracy, and the neglect of the relevant role of modern industrial policy. In addition to a narrow interpretation of the concept, the transdisciplinary nature of the degrowth transition is also explored, incorporating relevant aspects of evolutionary science, systems theory and neuroscience. Finally, five insights are elaborated that are sought to catalyse a degrowth research agenda and a meaningful professional dialogue.

JEL code: O10, O40, L16, P40

Keywords: degrowth, qualitative growth, innovation, interdisciplinary, development