BasisÖkonomien

BasisÖkonomien is a term used in German-language economic discourse to describe economic arrangements that prioritize foundational, basic goods and services, with an emphasis on local, decentralized, and sustainable processes. There is no single, universally accepted definition; usage varies across authors.

Core features include emphasis on essential goods such as food, housing, and energy, shorter and more local supply chains, cooperative or employee-owned enterprises, participatory decision-making, and resilience against systemic shocks. Proponents connect BasisÖkonomien to broader debates about sufficiency, steady-state economics, and alternative development paths that de-emphasize perpetual growth.

In practice, BasisÖkonomien can be seen in community-supported agriculture, neighborhood cooperatives, local currencies or time banking, and municipally oriented projects that aim to secure basic services locally. Some writers treat it as a critique of growth-focused capitalism, while others view it as a practical framework for place-based policy and governance.

Critiques point to definitional vagueness and potential tensions between efficiency, scalability, and inclusion. Detractors warn against romanticizing locality and of possible protectionism or fragmentation if not carefully designed. Supporters acknowledge trade-offs but argue that basis-oriented models can enhance social cohesion, ecological sustainability, and long-term resilience.

The concept intersects with degrowth, localism, and sustainable development debates, and it appears in policy discussions and scholarly work on resilient economies and community governance. See also degrowth, localism, cooperative economy, and circular economy.