Enough Is Enough: A Book Review Exploring Degrowth, Liberation Theology, and New Economies for Our Common Home

Enough is Enough asks the reader to embrace the concept of “degrowth.” The novel frame used by the authors suggests that liberation theologies can add new and articulate insights into the degrowth movement’s intellectual and motivational arsenal. Additionally, the authors argue that degrowth convictions can give Christian traditions new energy for their efforts to care for creation.

The degrowth movement unequivocally argues that if everyone on earth consumed at the same rate of the average US consumer, we would need five earths to sustain it (page 4.) In the latter half of 2024, global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.3% – so if this rate were able to be continued, compounding 3% growth would double GDP every 24 years! (p. 57.) This “overshoot” of planetary resources is clearly unsustainable. Indeed, “enough is enough” – or at least we could agree it should be!

What is “degrowth”?

The idea of “degrowth” is not new. Some will remember debates begun by Herman E. Daly’s 1996 book, “Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development” and how Lawrence Summers (US Treasury Secretary and then economic advisor to President Obama) trashed Daly’s writing as “not the right way to look at it.” Beyond academic circles, some in the Canadian ecumenical justice movements also engaged. Bill Ryan SJ wrote a glowing book review of Daly’s work in 1997, and in 2014 the Jesuit Forum co-published (with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) a work book extolling the virtues of degrowth. (See: W. Ryan SJ, Janet Somerville, Anne O’Brien gsic and Anne-Marie Jackson’s “Living with limits, living well: hints for neighbours on an endangered planet.”)

What becomes debatable is found in the various proposals for ensuing action towards the necessary transition towards true environmental and social sustainability. If there is no growth without environmental cost (p.60), is it growth itself that then becomes the enemy we must disarm? After all, it is often said that growth for its own sake is the logic of the cancer cell! (p.36)

Yet, degrowth “is an awkward term” (p.77.), and the authors readily acknowledge that there is no single definition of the concept (p. 36) In Enough Is Enough, degrowth is described as “an emerging term” (p.3.) But among many aspects discussed, the articulation of Brazilian eco-liberation theologian Leonardo Boff, from an interview with the authors, seems to best describe their preference: “degrowth is about societies that have already created good living conditions for their populations. Poor societies need to grow in order to have the health, education and living conditions they need.” (p.90.) This global justice perspective is best seen as an effort to decolonize the Global North, while in the Global South (again according to Boff) the “idea of growth for us is not aimed at accumulation but at meeting the needs of the entire population in a sufficient and decent way.” (p.91.) Detloff and Bernico unabashedly propose “degrowth socialism” which, “Put most simply, is a discussion about how to make our economies work for us and for the environment rather than for the sake of growth, which means intentionally and thoughtfully decreasing production and consumption in the Global North, a task that would in fact enrich, rather than impoverish, our lives” (pp. 81 – 83.)

Degrowth and Liberation Theologies

The major contribution of Enough Is Enough lies in its helpful references to the many insights liberation theology can bring to the degrowth argument – especially its unwavering critique of capitalism as a system that intrinsically demands growth. Chapter 1, for example, is entitled “The Idolatry of the Gross Domestic Product.” Liberation theologians all decry how capitalist ideology has taken on seemingly divine qualities, making us believe we must inevitably put economic growth before godly values. The authors helpfully describe this critique of capitalist ideology by writing, “Idolatry draws us into patterns of devotion, fear, worship and rituals, producing effects that are analogously similar to how people comport themselves towards God.” (p.24.) If this is the case, writes Costa Rican theologian Victorio Araya, then, “in order to believe in God we must first disbelieve in the gods we have contrived.” (p.29.) (And remember British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher preached “TINA: there is no alternative!”)

No wonder the authors are convinced that growth is not a neutral or natural state – they argue convincingly for a “breaking with, not an updating” of capitalism. (p. 9.) And their critique carries forward into critical failures of “green growth” strategies that refuse to break with capitalism’s unrelenting drive for GDP expansion: “we will need to break with capitalism, not because that is the most radical thing to do, but because capitalism can’t sustain itself without a constant compulsion to grow.” (p.34.)

Catholic Social Thought, Integral Ecology and Degrowth

ORCIE’s membership is keen to further our understanding and acceptance of integral ecology. With regard to papal teaching, Pope Francis did indeed criticize how “talk of sustainable growth usually becomes a way of distracting attention and offering excuses.” (LS #197.) Dettloff and Bernico argue that Pope Francis embraced degrowth – even suggesting, “That’s right, the pope said “degrowth.” (p.71.) (Actually, the quote from Laudato Si #193 actually reads: “We know how unsustainable is the behaviour of those who constantly consume and destroy, while others are not yet able to live in a way worthy of their human dignity. That is why the time has come to accept decreased growth in some parts of the world, in order to provide resources for other places to experience healthy growth.”) The 2025 message of the Catholic Church in the Global South goes much further, when it is stated: “We propose a model aligned with planetary boundaries and with goals for degrowth. A model that reduces demand and excessive consumption and promotes solidarity-based, circular and restorative economies.” (Call for Climate Justice, #26.)