The Political Economy of Low Carbon Transformation ─ Breaking the Habits of Capitalism

This book argues that a century of lived experience in the political economy of expansive capitalism in the rich countries of the world has led to a habituation to not only high levels of materials and resources used in everyday practices, but to a habituation to expansion itself.

Neither energy and climate change theorists nor policy makers have engaged with the culture of capitalism. Mainstream policy is putting all of its effort to make sustainability happen within an expansionist frame. The record shows that several decades of efforts to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in growth economics such as those of the OECD countries have not been successful, while at the same time rapidly expanding economies elsewhere are using energy and emitting carbon in step with economic growth. Using the examples of home energy, transport and food, the book articulates the relationship between the politics of expansion and the formation of high-energy habits at the level of family and household. It elaborates a theory of habits and reflections are made on the politics of unlocking low energy habits. This entails a reassessment at the top of fundamental principles of expansive economics, including growth, market regulation and strategic public initiatives. It also explores the fostering of new low energy practices at the level of household and community. There are a growing number of communities around the world, both real and virtual, that are engaged forming collaborative practices and reestablishing shared ownership. The book discusses these developments, suggest ways in which national and local policy can support them and assess their potential for spreading and influencing national political agendas.

The book is aimed at a large and growing interdisciplinary audience interested in the relationship between political economy, consumption and sustainability.

Harold Wilhite is Professor of Social Anthropology, Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo, Norway.