Manifesto d’Aix-en-Neige, janvier 2010
For a Europe green, lean and more social
Warning: do not read if not conscious of the extent of the ecological catastrophe.
In 1848 the well-known economist J.S. Mill pleaded for rich societies to follow the example of natural systems: that is a transformation from growing-on mainly quantitively (the pioneer stage) to the climax stage, i.e. stabilizing and going for qualitative development.
In view of the ecological catastrophe, it would be wise for the old continent Europe, which had its glories, to now head for the intelligent phase of frugality and quality. At the same time it could complete its efforts for more equality, for a more just world.
It would mean a partial delinking from the global casino. This would necessitate our countries to make their economies more self-sufficient and have them more relocalized. This could be achieved best by constructing a calmed-down and more intelligent and social domestic economic sector. New economic activity should everywhere substitute the importation of the goods that are still needed even in a much leaner society. Moreover, these activities would mean work for all those now being marginalised plus for all those who will as yet lose their job in the globally-ruled economic sector (i.e. ruled by international corporations, private funds, elites or states and by the E.U and WTO, backed by neo-liberal thinking) where fierce competition, our-sourcing, merging and ratracing will still continue.
Europe should go for the culture of enoughness (Wolfgang Sachs) and turn its back, or some of its back, to the still expanding economies elsewhere (China, India, Bresil) or the economies still wanting to restore growth (Russia, USA), sometimes quite understandably where the partition of the cake is still so inadequate that growth is needed to have the poor also get a tiny share.
Europe surely will remain a travailliste continent, but no longer a productiviste one, in French words. At the same time it will develop culture, civilisation and community life and go for WISDOM. It will consist of regions and together form l’Europe des régions as was the idea of Denis de Rougemont. Among these, there will be moderate and balanced trade (Herman Daly), as with other parts of the world. (No more lop-siding cash-cropping.)
By taking the frugal road, Europe, without playing the schoolmaster, will send an indirect signal into the world: do not follow the suicidal path of ever more material growth (even if including some windgenerators, energy-saving, ecotax and airfilters) that the rich countries until now have taken.
The change proposed, a paradigm-shift, requires our societies to become true communities (Gesellschaften to become Gemeinschaften). Only if people are really together, they can make the big changes needed. Therefore we have to get rid of the remnants of class controversies and the modern differences in income, wealth, participation and religion. The new, frugal Europe will have much less cake, so the urge for everyone’s participation and equal sharing is all the stronger.
Our ecological footprint will be much reduced, and so our attack on the Earth and her resources. And surely, we have to accept that the products we were used to buy in the supermarket may be out of stock. Sometimes empty shelves but busy, green towns and fields full of useful and creative activity. Everywhere a regional, more safe and resilient supply of food. The economy of supply, yes of pushing, will be replaced by the old one based on demand, a demand remaining within the ecological limits. As for the money-system, of course it will be changed from master to servant.*
Today, the economies of the rich countries, whether in crisis or not, are causing such ecological and social disruption that their net result has already been very negative for a long time. (Some ecologists say: as from the middle of the 19th century, i.e. as from the massive use of fossil fuels.) Europe’s task now is to calm its economies down, with far less production and a strongly reduced and more intelligent consumption. From a high to a much lower level of entropy. Through this, we would achieve de-growth which in turn should factually mean a step towards … real growth. And, moreover, a step towards greater human dignity and a more advanced civilisation. A human civilisation also taking good care of all other living creatures.
Let’s turn the credit crunch and the resulting depression into a blessing! Let us stop being mere consumers but become producers of our own lives, of the life of our community and of a more green and just Europe and world. The change will be a liberation movement, freed from the compulsion or striving to grow and from pushing capitals or states. A move towards a life-saving economic paradigm-shift. The economy no longer ruining the Earth and brought more into the hands of the people. Regenerating enthusiasm, energy and a perspective in our lives. For the European countries to take the lead!
For my friends and relations in Ecoropa, Voor de Verandering/Platform DSE and around the French review on de-growth Entropia. Willem Hoogendijk** wh@aarde.org
Post-script
Of course this cannot be achieved in the democratic-political way. At least not quickly. The metamorphosis (Edgar Morin) first would need sensibilization and education of the public at large (which takes time and, moreover, will surely be crossed and ridiculized by the popular media). The drive should come from a large extra-parliamentary movement of all people de bonne volonté.
Another but related point: the level of comfort and material wealth in that frugalized, ‘empoverished’ Europe will be much lower than we are now used to. Can it provide for the current system of care for sick and old people? Should we continue to try to get ever older thanks to medical ingenuity and – often costly – means? Or should we go for a paradigm-shift, a real metamorphosis: participative activity as well and long as we can (according to our individual possibility, of course. Like our ancestors.), and have a happier, more fulfilled life that may last shorter than we are used to now? If we come in a position that we must choose, we should better use our means to make our youngsters (now often subject to parental neglect, to hasty and career-focussed education and to commerce) healthy and educated.
To be discussed:
The incorporation (by dislocation?) of our megapoles in the green, ‘kitchengarden’-economy.
The need for, nevertheless, some regulation of populations (cf. China).
The problem of immigration. (Will a leaned Europe, but without unemployment, become more or less or too attractive?)
The military aspect. (People will point out that Europe, with far less, or even no longer any, military activity, will still count on the defence by other nations, e.g. the USA.)
* A demand-economy would require the flexibilization of the remuneration of capital and for many workers a diversification of jobs: i.e. one or more sources of income besides their main job. See:
** The Economic Revolution (1991), and article in the French review Entropia nr. 7.
