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Living the good life in a non-growth world: Investigating the role of hierarchy

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  • Fix, Blair

    (York University)

Abstract

Humanity's most pressing need is to learn how to live within our planet's boundaries --- something that likely means doing without economic growth. How, then, can we create a non-growth society that is both just and equitable? I attempt to address this question by looking at an aspect of sustainability (and equity) that is not often discussed: the growth of hierarchy. As societies consume more energy, they tend to become more hierarchical. At the same time, the growth of hierarchy also seems to be a key driver of income/resource inequality. In this essay, I review the evidence for the joint relation between energy, hierarchy and inequality. I then speculate about what it implies for achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Suggested Citation

  • Fix, Blair, 2021. "Living the good life in a non-growth world: Investigating the role of hierarchy," SocArXiv wem9p, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:wem9p
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/wem9p
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    7. Bichler, Shimshon & Nitzan, Jonathan, 2020. "Growing through Sabotage: Energizing Hierarchical Power," Review of Capital as Power, Capital As Power - Toward a New Cosmology of Capitalism, vol. 1(5), pages 1-78.
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    15. Hall, Charles A.S. & Lambert, Jessica G. & Balogh, Stephen B., 2014. "EROI of different fuels and the implications for society," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 141-152.
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    20. Bhandari, Khagendra P. & Collier, Jennifer M. & Ellingson, Randy J. & Apul, Defne S., 2015. "Energy payback time (EPBT) and energy return on energy invested (EROI) of solar photovoltaic systems: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 133-141.
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    22. Francisco Lima, 2000. "Internal labour markets: a case study," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp378, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    23. Fix, Blair, 2019. "An Evolutionary Theory of Resource Distribution," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue 90, pages 65-97.
    24. Graham Palmer & Joshua Floyd, 2017. "An Exploration of Divergence in EPBT and EROI for Solar Photovoltaics," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 2(4), pages 1-20, December.
    25. Paul Joskow & Nancy Rose & Andrea Shepard, 1993. "Regulatory Constraints on CEO Compensation," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 24(1 Microec), pages 1-72.
    26. Fix, Blair & Bichler, Shimshon & Nitzan, Jonathan, 2019. "Ecological Limits and Hierarchical Power," EconStor Preprints 195043, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    27. Blair Fix, 2019. "Energy, hierarchy and the origin of inequality," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-32, April.
    28. Blair Fix, 2017. "Energy and institution size," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, February.
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