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The role of the circular economy in the 2020s’ critical juncture: Path-fixer, path-opener or path-breaker?

The circular economy is usually portrayed as a pathbreaking concept, representing a paradigm shift that will reconcile the economy with nature. This idea is problematic for different reasons, including present and future concerns. This research aims to contribute to understanding the types of inertia that might be created during the transition to a circular economy. By comprehending how the circular economy can either facilitate, impede, or slow down the progress towards more desirable futures, we can actively avoid undesirable outcomes, especially in the context of the 2020s. To achieve this, I draw on institutional theory, particularly path dependence theory, and supplement it with Marxist and Gramscian theory. This allows me to analyse whether the circular economy acts as a path-fixer (it impedes), path-opener (it slow-downs) or path-breaker (it facilitates) in the transition towards more just and sustainable social systems. Initially, I conduct a comprehensive review of the mechanisms that may impede the transition towards these new, fairer, and more sustainable social models, encompassing factors such as social norms, social structures, human cognition, and social priorities. To stimulate the discussion, I accordingly develop an analytical framework that aims to define those mechanisms in two contrasting systems: green growth and degrowth. Next, I investigate the transition to the circular economy within the European context by analysing 54 circular economy strategies from various countries and territorial levels. The analysis enables a thorough examination and discussion of the types of inertia that emerge during the transition to the circular economy. I finalise by proposing a path-breaking agenda for the circular economy, which would eventually facilitate degrowth. This research might inform the degrowth community about how to seize the space of the circular economy to transition towards degrowth societies.

Info

Day: 2023-08-30
Start time: 12:30
Duration: 00:15
Room: ZV-8-1
Type: Paper Presentation
Theme: Degrowth as a political project?

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