Political Friendship and Degrowth: An Ethical Grounding of an Economy of Human Flourishing

This book develops a contemporary account of political friendship and synthesizes it with the degrowth movement, arguing for the need for a re-embracing of a friendly civic ethos and re-aligning the economy with moral objectives. It identifies political friendship with democratic-autonomous political-economic praxis that ensures citizens' self-actualization and nourishes their unconscious substratum, human instinctual sociality. The call for genuine democratic political praxis could enable the degrowth movement to retain its radical character and accomplish the shift to an economy that serves life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book offers a novel and comprehensive account of political friendship, drawing from the radical movement of degrowth. By synthesizing these two perspectives, it provides the ethical grounding and rationale for an alternative economy that aims to serve human flourishing.

In contemporary societies, a significant deficiency exists in the form of Aristotelian political friendship, characterized by active concern for the well-being of others. This lack is particularly evident in the face of ecological destruction and global poverty, highlighting the urgent need for a re-embracing of a friendly civic ethos and a re-alignment of the economy with moral objectives.

The author of this book updates the Aristotelian idea and identifies it with democratic-autonomous political-economic praxis, which ensures citizens' self-actualization. This praxis fosters political friendship by nourishing its unconscious substratum, namely human instinctual sociality. The degrowth movement, which questions economic growth and productivism and prioritizes a simpler life with fewer material goods, aligns with political friendship precisely because it supports this fundamental aspect of human nature.

The call for genuine democratic political praxis that political friendship implies could enable the degrowth movement to retain its radical character and accomplish the shift to an economy that serves life. This book is of immense value to students and researchers across social sciences, particularly in the fields of sociology, philosophy, and politics. However, its insights are also relevant to a broader readership, including individuals and communities who are concerned with social and environmental sustainability.

By exploring the relationship between political friendship and degrowth, this book offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable future. It challenges traditional economic models and encourages us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world and with each other. Through its comprehensive analysis and practical recommendations, it provides a valuable roadmap for building a more resilient and flourishing society.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367757960