The Global Politics of Post-Growth

• Applicant: Dr. Matthias Kranke
• Subject Area: Political Science
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 466076465

The proposed network engages with the global politics of post-growth. That is, it aims to generate novel empirical findings about transnational political activities that move beyond the widely taken-for-granted pursuit of economic growth. In doing so, it brings together scholars from various academic traditions with a shared interest in questions related to growth and post-growth, especially the interdependence of ecological, economic and social issues. The strongly interdisciplinary network combines insights from International Relations, International Political Economy, ecological economics and political ecology, but also human geography, economic history and sustainability studies.The network’s agenda is reflected in three interrelated thematic clusters.1) We will explore key post-growth concepts and initiatives at the transnational level to better situate different discursive framings of contemporary socio-ecological and socio-economic problems, such as run-away climate change or increasing social inequalities. Within this cluster, we will also analyse the implementation, or otherwise, of post-growth ideas and policies.2) We will scrutinise the role of political actors and institutions in sustaining or undermining the pro-growth imperative. This focus will allow us to trace processes through which actors open themselves up to policy ideas other than growth and build coalitions with like-minded actors.3) We will connect the previous two clusters to address the bigger-picture question of continuity and change. This final cluster will provide a comparative perspective on macro trends in global post-growth politics, including those in the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.Together, these three clusters will raise key questions that need to be answered if we wish to understand the popularity of economic growth as a global norm and explore alternative visions for the much-discussed socio-ecological transformation. In addition to deepening scholarly exchange across disciplinary boundaries, the network will produce a major collaborative publication, in the form of either an edited volume or a special issue, to communicate central empirical findings.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks