Discourses on degrowth in Norway: an analysis of political, environmental, and academic interpretations of degrowth

Abstract

Using a political ecology lens, this master thesis investigates prevalent discourses of degrowth in the contemporary Norwegian context. It creates an overview of how various actors see degrowth in Norway, their characteristics, framing and interpretation of degrowth as well as associated actors behind these discourses. Methodologically, the analysis draws on semi- structured interviews with different actors (political representatives, the environmental movement, and academics engaged on issues of degrowth and related issues) complemented by an analysis of academic articles, debates and media coverages. The study looked specifically at Norway, as the country is in a unique position economically and geopolitically. I take a critical realist standpoint in assessing the discourses of ecomodernism and degrowth. The ecomodernist discourse characterised by the myth of sustainable development enforcing green growth poses a challenge to advocates of degrowth as it is deeply entrenched in the overall Norwegian sociocultural context. Societal actors refrain from addressing the degrowth discourse as they fear to lose social legitimacy, even when they believe and deem the discourses necessary as well as fruitful. This impacts the overall level of critique in societal debates. A consequence of these re-enforcing social dynamics is that the reigning discourse of ecomodernism remain the socially perceived inhibitor of legitimacy.

Using a political ecology lens, this master thesis investigates prevalent discourses of degrowth in the contemporary Norwegian context. It creates an overview of how various actors see degrowth in Norway, their characteristics, framing and interpretation of degrowth as well as associated actors behind these discourses. Methodologically, the analysis draws on semi- structured interviews with different actors (political representatives, the environmental movement, and academics engaged on issues of degrowth and related issues) complemented by an analysis of academic articles, debates and media coverages. The study looked specifically at Norway, as the country is in a unique position economically and geopolitically. I take a critical realist standpoint in assessing the discourses of ecomodernism and degrowth. The ecomodernist discourse characterised by the myth of sustainable development enforcing green growth poses a challenge to advocates of degrowth as it is deeply entrenched in the overall Norwegian sociocultural context. Societal actors refrain from addressing the degrowth discourse as they fear to lose social legitimacy, even when they believe and deem the discourses necessary as well as fruitful. This impacts the overall level of critique in societal debates. A consequence of these re-enforcing social dynamics is that the reigning discourse of ecomodernism remain the socially perceived inhibitor of legitimacy.