Beyond the Growth Trap

This chapter begins by summarizing how the Guns-Oil-Oligarchy nexus contributes to the economic decline of the West. Given that the Growth Trap is at the centre of this, the chapter then considers the outlines of a post-growth society. It is argued that a post-growth society would require jettisoning of neoliberal capitalism. The challenge in such a jettisoning of neoliberal capitalism is the inherent conflict between a post-growth society’s necessary emphasis on limits, on the one hand, and entrepreneurs’ inherent need for growth. It is argued that a post-growth society, particularly one achieved through Degrowth, appears inconceivable given current societal structures and values. The pessimistic conclusion is that continued economic growth in a business-as-usual future and a shift to an idealized post-growth society present significant challenges and dangers. These could precipitate a societal collapse. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the ultimate dilemma implied by the rise of the Guns-Oil-Oligarchy nexus as one of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”