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Degrowth and postgrowth: A systematic literature review of growth-critical science

Author

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  • Toikka, Arho
  • Ruuska, Toni
  • Wiman, Laua
  • Heikkurinen, Pasi

Abstract

This article is a systematic review of the bourgeoning field of studies employing growth-critical concepts, namely degrowth and postgrowth. First, it demonstrates how these concepts are used across disciplines, and how they consequently have varying approaches to theory, subject matter, and policy. Secondly, it maps the topography of growth-critical science to demonstrate the topical differences and similarities in these studies. By topic modelling, a natural-language processing machine-learning method, the study finds 20 focal topics from 943 articles. The critiques of growth appear in various combinations, allowing the article to compile the main topics and to demonstrate how they span across studies. The article challenges the assumption that growth-critical science forms a united political or scholarly agenda beyond being critical towards perpetual economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Toikka, Arho & Ruuska, Toni & Wiman, Laua & Heikkurinen, Pasi, 2026. "Degrowth and postgrowth: A systematic literature review of growth-critical science," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:240:y:2026:i:c:s0921800925003131
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108830
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