Sufficiency as Policy

1 - Cover [Seite 1]
2 - 1. Introduction [Seite 17]
2.1 - Aim and framework of this study [Seite 19]
2.2 - Status quo regarding selected environmental issues and their potential harmful consequences [Seite 21]
2.3 - Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change [Seite 23]
2.4 - Use of natural resources [Seite 26]
2.5 - Biodiversity loss [Seite 29]
2.6 - Structure of the study [Seite 31]
3 - 2. Theoretical framework: liberal democracy and sustainability [Seite 33]
3.1 - Introduction [Seite 33]
3.2 - 2.1 Liberalism [Seite 34]
3.2.1 - 2.1.1 Liberty [Seite 34]
3.2.2 - 2.1.2 Equality [Seite 36]
3.2.3 - 2.1.3 Liberalism and neutrality towards the good [Seite 37]
3.2.4 - 2.1.4 Categories of liberalism [Seite 40]
3.2.5 - 2.1.5 Liberalism and Green Political Theory [Seite 42]
3.3 - 2.2 Democracy [Seite 43]
3.3.1 - 2.2.1 Democracy and Liberalism [Seite 43]
3.3.2 - 2.2.2 Empirical characteristics and theories of the democratic state [Seite 45]
3.3.3 - 2.2.3 Deliberative democracy [Seite 46]
3.3.4 - 2.2.4 Democracy and Green Political Theory [Seite 50]
3.4 - 2.3 Sustainability [Seite 54]
3.4.1 - 2.3.1 Introduction [Seite 54]
3.4.1.1 - Dimensions and "Three Pillars Model" [Seite 56]
3.4.1.2 - Other models and theories of sustainability [Seite 58]
3.4.1.3 - An objective or normative concept? [Seite 59]
3.4.1.4 - Relevant aspects of sustainability [Seite 60]
3.4.2 - 2.3.2 Anthropocentrism and physiocentrism [Seite 60]
3.4.3 - 2.3.3 Intra and intergenerational distributive justice [Seite 62]
3.4.3.1 - Comparative and absolute standards [Seite 63]
3.4.3.2 - Particular challenges of global justice [Seite 70]
3.4.3.3 - Particular challenges of intergenerational justice [Seite 72]
3.4.3.4 - A just distribution pattern internationally and towards the future [Seite 74]
3.4.3.5 - Synthesis [Seite 77]
3.4.4 - 2.3.4 Weak and strong sustainability-the role of natural capital [Seite 77]
3.4.4.1 - "Critical" sustainability [Seite 83]
3.4.4.2 - Planetary boundaries [Seite 85]
3.4.5 - 2.3.5 Sustainability, development and economic growth [Seite 90]
3.4.5.1 - Development [Seite 90]
3.4.5.2 - Economic growth [Seite 91]
3.4.5.3 - Compatibility of sustainability and different paths of economic development [Seite 96]
3.4.5.4 - Synthesis [Seite 102]
3.5 - 2.4 Interim summary [Seite 103]
4 - 3. Sufficiency and technical solutions [Seite 105]
4.1 - Introduction [Seite 105]
4.2 - 3.1 Technology and technical solutions [Seite 106]
4.2.1 - 3.1.1 Technology in environmental discourse [Seite 106]
4.2.2 - 3.1.2 The term "technology" [Seite 111]
4.2.3 - 3.1.3 Technical solutions: efficiency and environmentally adapted technologies [Seite 112]
4.2.4 - 3.1.4 Limitations of technical solutions [Seite 114]
4.2.4.1 - Scale [Seite 115]
4.2.4.2 - No sustainable and no 100% environmentally sound technologies [Seite 116]
4.2.4.3 - Rebound effect [Seite 118]
4.2.4.4 - "No technical solution problems" [Seite 120]
4.2.4.5 - Available time and the cost involved [Seite 120]
4.2.5 - 3.1.5 Theories and political programmes with a focus on technology [Seite 121]
4.2.5.1 - Ecological Modernisation [Seite 122]
4.2.5.2 - Industrial Ecology [Seite 123]
4.2.5.3 - Political programmes with a focus on technology [Seite 124]
4.2.5.4 - Inclusion of organisational aspects and "social innovations" [Seite 126]
4.3 - 3.2 Sufficiency [Seite 127]
4.3.1 - 3.2.1 History of the idea [Seite 127]
4.3.2 - 3.2.2 The term "sufficiency" and its interpretation [Seite 130]
4.3.2.1 - Positive versus negative understanding [Seite 131]
4.3.2.2 - Narrow and broad meaning [Seite 132]
4.3.2.3 - Motivation: environmental carrying capacity and the good life [Seite 132]
4.3.2.4 - "Enough" as an upper and lower threshold [Seite 133]
4.3.2.5 - The macro and the micro perspectives [Seite 134]
4.3.2.6 - The absolute versus the relative [Seite 135]
4.3.2.7 - Voluntariness and dependence on external structures [Seite 136]
4.3.2.8 - Reducing not only consumption but also population size? [Seite 137]
4.3.2.9 - How to distinguish sufficiency from technical sustainability strategies? [Seite 138]
4.3.3 - 3.2.3 Sufficiency in this study [Seite 142]
4.3.4 - 3.2.4 Limitations and obstacles to sufficiency as a sustainability strategy [Seite 144]
4.3.4.1 - Macroeconomic rebound effects [Seite 144]
4.3.4.2 - Acceptance and other obstacles [Seite 145]
4.3.5 - 3.2.5 Related concepts and debates [Seite 147]
4.3.5.1 - Sufficiency as a notion in justice theory [Seite 147]
4.3.5.2 - Satisficing [Seite 148]
4.3.5.3 - Consumption research and sustainable consumption [Seite 151]
4.3.5.4 - Social innovations [Seite 156]
4.4 - 3.3 Interim summary [Seite 157]
5 - 4. The individual and the political [Seite 160]
5.1 - Introduction [Seite 160]
5.2 - "Individual" and "political" [Seite 162]
5.3 - 4.1 Sufficiency as an individual and as a political approach [Seite 164]
5.3.1 - 4.1.1 Sufficiency on individual level: practical potential and limitations [Seite 164]
5.3.1.1 - Potential [Seite 164]
5.3.1.2 - Limitations [Seite 166]
5.3.2 - 4.1.2 Sufficiency as a political concern: state of the debate [Seite 169]
5.3.2.1 - Potential role and functions of a sufficiency policy [Seite 169]
5.3.2.2 - Concerns about the impact of a sufficiency policy on liberty and according responses [Seite 171]
5.3.2.3 - Practical concerns [Seite 173]
5.3.3 - 4.1.3 Interdependence between the individual and collective levels [Seite 176]
5.3.4 - 4.1.4 Individual and collective responsibility for sustainability [Seite 177]
5.3.5 - 4.1.5 The alternative: moralising individually harmless acts? [Seite 180]
5.4 - 4.2 Justification of state interventions to protect the environment [Seite 182]
5.4.1 - 4.2.1 Justifications of political interventions in a liberal society-the harm principle [Seite 182]
5.4.2 - 4.2.2 The harm principle and environmental impacts-accumulative harm [Seite 188]
5.4.2.1 - Problems related to accumulative harm [Seite 189]
5.4.2.2 - Typical excuses to the principle and lines of critique [Seite 191]
5.4.2.3 - Conclusion on accumulative environmental harm [Seite 195]
5.5 - 4.3 Consumption levels, accumulative harm, and interference [Seite 197]
5.5.1 - 4.3.1 Consumption levels as the cause of accumulative harm? [Seite 197]
5.5.2 - 4.3.2 What is the difference in terms of restrictions on liberty between technology and sufficiency policies? [Seite 198]
5.5.2.1 - Production, consumption, and liberty [Seite 199]
5.5.2.2 - Technical strategies, sufficiency, and liberty [Seite 201]
5.5.3 - 4.3.3 When is consumption "excessive"? [Seite 202]
5.5.4 - 4.3.4 Can the excessive use of resources cause harm to others? [Seite 205]
5.5.5 - 4.3.5 What degree of interference is legitimate with regard to excessive consumption? [Seite 210]
5.5.6 - 4.3.6 How to translate limits on "excessive" aggregate consumption into ways to reduce individual consumption? [Seite 213]
5.5.6.1 - Targeting harmful pollutants and scarce resources [Seite 214]
5.5.6.2 - Targeting individuals [Seite 215]
5.5.6.3 - Targeting certain activities or consumption goods [Seite 217]
5.6 - 4.4 Potential toe-holds for criticism [Seite 219]
5.6.1 - 4.4.1 "Sufficiency policies violate the neutrality principle" [Seite 219]
5.6.2 - 4.4.2 "What is at stake is too important" [Seite 225]
5.6.3 - 4.4.3 "Without any foundation in an account of the good life sufficiency policy remains ineffective" [Seite 226]
5.6.4 - 4.4.4 "In a democracy, sufficiency will never be adopted as policy" [Seite 228]
5.7 - 4.5 Interim summary [Seite 230]
6 - 5. Sufficiency as policy: potential solutions [Seite 234]
6.1 - 5.1 Overview of policy instruments [Seite 234]
6.1.1 - 5.1.1 Categories and assessment criteria [Seite 235]
6.1.2 - 5.1.2 Policy proposals in the literature [Seite 237]
6.1.3 - 5.1.3 Discussion [Seite 243]
6.1.3.1 - Regulatory law [Seite 244]
6.1.3.2 - Planning [Seite 246]
6.1.3.3 - Economic instruments [Seite 247]
6.1.3.4 - Nudging [Seite 248]
6.1.3.5 - Cooperation [Seite 251]
6.1.3.6 - Information [Seite 252]
6.2 - 5.2 Selected policy examples [Seite 254]
6.2.1 - 5.2.1 Environmental taxes on resources and emissions [Seite 254]
6.2.2 - 5.2.2 Personal carbon trading [Seite 259]
6.2.3 - 5.2.3 Planning instruments for urban transport infrastructure [Seite 265]
6.2.4 - 5.2.4 Conclusions from the policy examples [Seite 270]
6.3 - 5.3 A "political conception" of sufficiency [Seite 272]
6.3.1 - 5.3.1 Conception [Seite 273]
6.3.1.1 - Area of application and normative basis [Seite 273]
6.3.1.2 - Characterisation of sufficiency as policy [Seite 274]
6.3.1.3 - Justification [Seite 275]
6.3.1.4 - Environmental carrying capacity and critical limits [Seite 276]
6.3.1.5 - Practical suggestions for sufficiency policies [Seite 277]
6.3.2 - 5.3.2 Open questions and limitations of the conception [Seite 281]
7 - 6. Summary and conclusions [Seite 284]
8 - References [Seite 291]