Exploring the degrowth movement: A survey of conceptualisations, strategies, and tactics

Degrowth – the downscaling of production and consumption to reduce ecological footprints, planned democratically in a way that is equitable while securing wellbeing – is emerging as an alternative strategy for social-ecological transformation. While research on degrowth as a scientific concept is burgeoning, there are few studies exploring the strategies and tactics that may be necessary for social movements to achieve social-ecological transformation. To stimulate this dialogue, we conduct a survey and statistical analysis of degrowth scholar-activists regarding diverging conceptualisations of degrowth, strategic orientations, and tactical preferences using correlation, principal component, and cluster analysis (n = 399). The results reveal how different interpretations of degrowth align with strategic orientations and support for implementing various direct-action tactics. Our findings point to the potential for the degrowth movement to develop a strategy of unarmed resistance that combines nonviolent resistance with anti-property actions. To explore the diversity within the degrowth movement, we identify four currents: antagonistic anarchism, systemic utopianism, environmental pragmatism, and ecological limitarianism. The paper concludes by reflecting on the preanalytic vision of degrowth, the strategic implications of pluralism, and how these strategic orientations and tactical preferences could fit together.