This paper explores the critique of productivism and the pursuit of autonomy within the degrowth conceptual framework. The prevailing economic model systematically undermines worker autonomy through hierarchical workplace structures, the commodification of labour, and the imperative for endless growth, which prioritises output over free time. The paper engages with criticisms of workplace domination and the commodification of labour. It argues that, while genuine autonomy does require mandatory workplace democracy, it does not preclude labour commodification. However, the autonomy of individuals requires dismantling the radical monopoly of labour commodification through the expansion of the set of alternative options for ensuring livelihood. This entails creating an egalitarian and pluralistic economy with diverse institutions to ensure that work, whether productive or reproductive, is freely chosen and democratically organised within ecological limits, rather than imposed by heteronomous economic forces.
Economic growth is very good. Though most objections to growth can easily be defused, the most compelling objection is the thought that growth is necessarily at odds with the environment. This objection has led some to argue for degrowth. I argue that growth and environmental protection are not necessarily at odds; rather, the conflict between growth and the environment is contingent on the private ownership of natural resources. Under private ownership, permanent resources like land are underused, and depletable resources like fossil fuels are over-used. Land value taxes and severance taxes correct these tendencies. Natural resources are the ideal tax base because they do not cause deadweight loss. Furthermore, economic justice requires such taxes because everyone has symmetrical pre-political entitlements to natural resources. I argue that taxes on natural resources enable green growth, growth that does not require additional resource exploitation. Those who value environmental protection do not need to accept degrowth. Land value tax, not degrowth, should be the cornerstone of a green new deal.
