In the midst of multiple economic, social and environmental crises, it seems clear that we must construct new ways to understand the operation of the social and ecological systems in which we live. It is obvious that we desperately need new paradigms for organizing the search for innovative solutions. The talk will examine the progress that scholars on the frontiers of creative thinking have made in developing the concept of Degrowth as a way of integrating a broad series of constructive  proposals for moving in a positive direction to overcome these crises.

Dr. David Barkin is Professor of Economics at the Xochimilco Campus of the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in México City. He received his doctorate in economics from Yale University and was awarded the National Prize in Political Economics in 1979 for his analysis of inflation in Mexico. He is interested in the process of unequal development that creates profound imbalances throughout society and promotes environmental degradation. His recent research focuses on the implementation of alternative strategies for the sustainable management of resources. Much of his work is conducted in collaboration with local communities and regional citizens’ groups.