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<br/>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<br/>degrowth, the strategic implications of pluralism, and how these strategic orientations and tactical preferences could fit together.