Contents

Introduction

1 Growth fetishism

The growth fetish

Economists on wellbeing

The great contradiction

Political implications

2 Growth and wellbeing

Income

Personal happiness

Values and meaning

Alternative measures

3 Identity

Having and wanting

Consumption and the modern self

Marketing

Overconsumption

4 Progress

The idea of progress

Oppression and liberation

Globalisation

5 Politics

The Third Way

The power of economic ideas

Power and equality

6 Work

Rethinking work

The new labour market

In praise of housework

Work in a post-growth world

7 Environment

The voraciousness of growth

The conquering spirit

A philosophical transition

Environmentalism and social democracy

8 The post-growth society

Political downshifting

Eudemonism: the politics of happiness

Starting the transition

The post-growth economy

Power and social structure

Notes