Déconomie

Déconomie is a term that appears in some French‑language discussions to describe a set of ideas that challenge the preeminent role of traditional economic growth and explore how economic life might be organized around ecological limits and social well‑being rather than GDP alone. It is not a formal field of economics, and there is no universally accepted definition. In practice, déconomie is used to signal a shift away from growth‑centric policy toward approaches that revalue non‑market activities, care work, and local resilience, while prioritizing ecological sustainability. The term is often linked, though not identical, to concepts such as degrowth, post‑growth, or steady‑state economics.

Etymologically, déconomie combines the prefix dé‑ with économie, implying a deconstruction, reduction, or reorientation of economic dominance. Its usage varies by author and context; some employ it to describe a critique of monetization and the dominance of market exchange, while others use it to describe practical reforms that reduce material throughput without necessarily shrinking living standards.

Policy and theoretical implications attributed to a déconomie frame include stronger emphasis on sufficiency, circularity, localization, and the establishment of commons‑based or cooperative arrangements; a shift toward indicators beyond GDP, such as well‑being, resilience, and ecological balance; and institutional changes that reduce environmental impact.

Critics argue that the term is vague and can blur disagreements over goals and methods, risking conflation with recession or simplistic anti‑growth rhetoric. Supporters contend it highlights the need for systemic reform toward sustainable and equitable ways of organizing economic life.

See also: degrowth, post‑growth, steady‑state economy, ecological economics, sufficiency.