Slow Down

The Degrowth Manifesto

By: Kohei Saito, Brian Bergstrom - translator

Narrated by: Troy Glasgow, Kohei Saito

Why, in our affluent society, do so many people live in poverty, without access to health care, working multiple jobs, and are nevertheless unable to make ends meet, with no future prospects, while the planet is burning?

In his international bestseller, Kohei Saito argues that while unfettered capitalism is often blamed for inequality and climate change, subsequent calls for “sustainable growth” and a “Green New Deal” are a dangerous compromise. Capitalism creates artificial scarcity by pursuing profit based on the value of products rather than their usefulness and by putting perpetual growth above all else. It is therefore impossible to reverse climate change in a capitalist society; in fact, the system that caused the problem in the first place cannot be an integral part of the solution.

Instead, Saito advocates for degrowth and deceleration, which he conceives as the slowing of economic activity through the democratic reform of labor and production. In practical terms, he argues for the following:

the end of mass production and mass consumption.

decarbonization through shorter working hours.

the prioritization of essential labor over corporate profits.

By returning to a system of social ownership, he argues, we can restore abundance and focus on those activities that are essential for human life, effectively reversing climate change and saving the planet.

©2024 Kohei Saito and Brian Bergstrom (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

A well-intentioned, blurry socialist call to action

Slow Down is a book like most others on the topic. A brief slog through anti-capitalist jargon.

Spreading light on Degrowth

Enabling us to enact on the behalf of our home by making lifestyle changes and illuminating the path for our bright future.

a must read for young people

a very simple to understand and critically articulated assessment regarding green capitalism and capitalist approaches towards prevention of global climate disaster. A must read for anyone who feels helpless with global events and wants a practical vision for moving forward.

Manifesto indeed.

Highly recommend this book. It conveys a solid analysis of current circumstances, yet embraces our passion and conviction to bring about much needed reform.

lots to think about

I enjoyed this book, but I wish he would have put forth more solutions and focused on projects that have had success. Overall, it was an interesting perspective on Eco-socialism