How imperative are the Joneses? Economic growth between individual desire and social coercion

Oliver Richters and Andreas Siemoneit

No 4/2017, VÖÖ Discussion Papers from Vereinigung für Ökologische Ökonomie e.V. (VÖÖ)

Abstract: Worldwide, economic growth is a prominent goal, despite its severe conflicts with ecological sustainability. Are 'growth policies' only a question of political or individual will, or do 'growth imperatives' exist that make them 'inescapable'? And why do people consume ever more, even in 'rich' countries? These questions are of political relevance, discussed since long - and essentially contested, especially along the dimensions free will vs. social coercion, and 'socio-cultural' influences vs. 'economic' reasons. We carefully derive definitions of the key terms 'social coercion' and 'growth imperative', referring to the concept of methodological individualism. Based on the assumption derived elsewhere that an economic growth imperative actually exists, we analyze some socio-cultural influences on individual behavior, dividing the debate in three subgroups. On the demand side, we study why people seemingly consume beyond basic needs to compare with others for social and cultural reasons, or to increase opportunities, while on the supply side, we analyze why people work more than needed given their consumption plans. When socio-cultural influences are truly forceful, they are usually based on economic pressure. Also, accumulation and certain consumption decisions can be traced back to quite 'rational' motives, making an often demanded 'cultural transformation' towards sufficiency a difficult project. Reproductive considerations (mating) and technology as households' investment may be considerably underestimated as consumption motives, the second probably causing a positive feedback loop. We conclude that, with regard to inescapability, socio-cultural mechanisms are secondary, compared with economic pressure on individuals.

Keywords: economic growth; growth imperative; social coercion; cultural drivers of growth; conspicuous consumption; Wirtschaftswachstum; Wachstumszwang; gesellschaftlicher Zwang; kulturelle Wachstumstreiber; Geltungskonsum (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 O44 Q01 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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