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Title Diversifying and de-growing the circular economy: Radical social transformation in a resource-scarce world
ID_Doc 2730
Authors Hobson, K; Lynch, N
Title Diversifying and de-growing the circular economy: Radical social transformation in a resource-scarce world
Year 2016
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.futures.2016.05.012
Abstract Programmes and policies for a Circular Economy (CE) are fast becoming key to regional and international plans for creating sustainable futures. Framed as a technologically driven and economically profitable vision of continued growth in a resource-scarce world, the CE has of late been taken up by the European Commission and global business leaders alike. However, within CE debates and documentation, little is said about the social and political implications of such transformative agendas. Whilst CE proponents claim their agenda is 'radical', this paper outlines its inability to address many deeply embedded challenges around issues of consumption and the consumer, echoing as it does the problematic (and arguably failed) agendas of sustainable consumption/lifestyles. Using the Sharing Economy as an example, we argue here that the ontological and sociological assumptions of the CE must be open to more 'radical' critique and reconsideration if this agenda is to deliver the profound transformations that its advocates claim are within our collective reach. Crown Copyright (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Circular economy; Sharing economy; Consumerism; Post-capitalism
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000383311300002
WoS Category Economics; Regional & Urban Planning
Research Area Business & Economics; Public Administration
PDF https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/92053/2/K%20Hobson%202016%20Diversifying%20and%20de-growing%20postprint%5B1%5D.pdf
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