Slow Down or Die: The Economics of Degrowth

A Publishers Weekly Most Ancitipated Book of Spring 2025 A bold call to abandon the myth of endless economic growth and embrace a sustainable, just, and thriving future. ★ "Blistering debut... An urgent and elegant challenge to the status quo."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) One of the most deeply ingrained beliefs of our age is that perpetual economic growth is the solution to most, if not all, of society's problem. In Slow Down or Die, French economist Timothée Parrique brilliantly challenges this myth, demonstrating how producing more won't solve climate change, poverty, or inequality. In fact, our obsession with growth is accelerating social and ecological collapse. Parrique argues that we don't need endless growth to prosper; instead, we must radically rethink how our economies are organized. He reveals that the GDP, the standard measure of progress, is blind to human well-being and environmental health, making it a poor--and indeed, dangerous--guide for the future. This book proposes a different vision, tracing a path toward a "post-growth" economy where decisions are made collectively and democratically. The goal is not the infinite accumulation of wealth but the creation of a just, equitable, and sustainable society. In this accessible and inspiring work, Parrique invites us to embrace a future of moderation and shared prosperity, proving that slowing down is the key to true progress and equality.

About the Author :
Timothée Parrique is an economist originally from Versailles, France. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Clermont Auvergne and the University of Stockholm, and is currently a researcher at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Claire Benoit is a translator and a lawyer practicing immigration and tax law. She lives between Brooklyn, NY, and Paris, France.

Review :
★ "Global warming is not the inevitable result of 'human nature' argues economist Parrique in this blistering debut study... Parrique takes readers through a variety of arguments and examples to show how growth cannot possibly lead to less use of the planet's resources, and that degrowth, or decreased production, does not actually correlate with recessions as modern conventional wisdom assumes... The result is an urgent and elegant challenge to the status quo."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Timothée Parrique articulates one of the more detailed arguments for [degrowth]... Parrique highlights how GDP is a flawed measure of economic progress... a widespread critique among economists, but his exposition of it is particularly clear and engaging... And unlike most anti-growthers, Parrique does set out what a new economic system and refreshed democratic architecture might look like."--Financial Times "An excellent and accessible demonstration that the capitalist economy is the biggest threat to our existence... This is a book that shouldn't have to be written but thank goodness it has. Parrique writes persuasively, with a passion, clarity and urgency. His book is a basic economic lexicon for non-economists, and should be a core book on the curriculum of every school."--Morning Star "A powerful critique of the ideology of growth, Parrique's book debunks the myth that GDP growth is essential for progress, calling instead for a societal shift towards sustainability and equity."--Bon Pote "A clear vision for a profoundly different economy... the author lucidly describes our most acute challenges and offers a detailed policy plan."--The Irish Times "As a species we are slowly realizing that our survival depends on our ability to change our economic model. Parrique brilliantly summarizes a vast field of work and outlines key choices: between eco-socialism and barbarism; between de-growth and oblivion; between planning and profit; between resistance or collaboration."--Danny Dorling, Author of Slowdown "This compelling and passionately-written book shows how growth cures none of our problems."--Chris Goodall, Carbon Commentary "Timothée Parrique provides an enlightening breakdown of how our obsession with economic growth leads to ecological destruction and social inequality, urging readers to reconsider what true prosperity means."--Resilience "A comprehensive and accessible critique of our obsession with the GDP, this book shows how degrowth offers a path toward ecological sustainability and social equity. Parrique dismantles the myth of green growth and demonstrates why GDP is not a true measure of a happy life."--Chaire Économie du Climat