Degrowth and Goliath: The Need for an Interdisciplinary Moonshot to Challenge the Psychology behind the Growth Paradigm
(2025) SIMZ11 20241Graduate School
- Abstract
- This thesis explores the influence of the current economic paradigm, usually referred to as neoliberalism, on various aspects of life, thereby creating its own psychology. This psychology of neoliberalism, with a strong focus on competitiveness, individualism, and consumerism, creates intertwined dynamics for individuals, public institutions, and society and functions as the backbone of economic growth. As growth at all costs is considered to contribute to environmental pollution and global inequality, concepts such as degrowth have emerged, advocating for a deliberate reduction in economic activity. Critics argue that degrowth is mostly perceived as a threat in a society accustomed to the growth paradigm. This presents a complex social... (More)
- This thesis explores the influence of the current economic paradigm, usually referred to as neoliberalism, on various aspects of life, thereby creating its own psychology. This psychology of neoliberalism, with a strong focus on competitiveness, individualism, and consumerism, creates intertwined dynamics for individuals, public institutions, and society and functions as the backbone of economic growth. As growth at all costs is considered to contribute to environmental pollution and global inequality, concepts such as degrowth have emerged, advocating for a deliberate reduction in economic activity. Critics argue that degrowth is mostly perceived as a threat in a society accustomed to the growth paradigm. This presents a complex social issue, sometimes referred to in academia as a “mess.” To shed light on this issue, the existing literature on degrowth is mapped, with a focus on its intersection with psychology. Furthermore, the dynamics between the different levels of the psychology of neoliberalism and their role in sustaining economic growth are examined, including the practices and impact of knowledge production, interdisciplinarity, and reductionism in academic discourse. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9183063
- author
- Schmitt, Simon LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SIMZ11 20241
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Psychology of Neoliberalism, Degrowth, Social Messes, Neoliberal University, Knowledge Production
- language
- English
- id
- 9183063
- date added to LUP
- 2025-02-26 10:12:18
- date last changed
- 2025-02-26 10:12:43
@misc{9183063,
abstract = {{This thesis explores the influence of the current economic paradigm, usually referred to as neoliberalism, on various aspects of life, thereby creating its own psychology. This psychology of neoliberalism, with a strong focus on competitiveness, individualism, and consumerism, creates intertwined dynamics for individuals, public institutions, and society and functions as the backbone of economic growth. As growth at all costs is considered to contribute to environmental pollution and global inequality, concepts such as degrowth have emerged, advocating for a deliberate reduction in economic activity. Critics argue that degrowth is mostly perceived as a threat in a society accustomed to the growth paradigm. This presents a complex social issue, sometimes referred to in academia as a “mess.” To shed light on this issue, the existing literature on degrowth is mapped, with a focus on its intersection with psychology. Furthermore, the dynamics between the different levels of the psychology of neoliberalism and their role in sustaining economic growth are examined, including the practices and impact of knowledge production, interdisciplinarity, and reductionism in academic discourse.}},
author = {{Schmitt, Simon}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Degrowth and Goliath: The Need for an Interdisciplinary Moonshot to Challenge the Psychology behind the Growth Paradigm}},
year = {{2025}},
}