Towards a critical understanding of work in ecological economics: A postwork perspective

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In this paper we critically assess common perceptions of work to inform current debates on work in ecological economics. Work is usually conceived as (1) a productive activity (2) that satisfies consumer demand, (3) is conducive to health and well-being, and (4) ensures social inclusion and personal development. Drawing on the burgeoning literature of postwork or critiques of work, we argue that work may rather be understood as a biophysically intense, consumption-causing, heteronomous institution with ambivalent health impacts that stabilises societies in environmentally and socially unsustainable ways. Therefore, work should be radically reduced and organised differently so that it is no longer the main mechanism for livelihood provisioning and social inclusion. Based on our fourfold critique of work developed in this paper, we sketch out a postwork research agenda for ecological economics.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107935
JournalEcological Economics
Volume212
Number of pages9
ISSN0921-8009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10.2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

    Research areas

  • Critique of work, Ecological economics, Employment, Postwork, Social-ecological transformation, Sustainability, Work
  • Sustainability Science