Background and basics of the exhibition

In (Western?) industrialized societies, notions of prosperity and a good life are shaped by the pursuit of virtually unlimited consumption. The driving force behind such consumer affluence is perpetual economic growth, which is accompanied by high resource consumption and the exploitation of people and nature. However, limitless growth is impossible on a finite planet. An economic system geared towards perpetual growth comes at a high price: it leads to environmental destruction, profound social inequality, and the erosion of social cohesion. These negative effects disproportionately impact people in the Global South. Criticism of this growth model is not new, but it is growing. As an alternative, forms of economic activity are being tested that prioritize the well-being of all and preserve the ecological foundations of life (community-supported agriculture, social enterprises, universal basic income).

The concept of the "good life" represents an understanding of prosperity that prioritizes other values ​​over competition and the accumulation of material goods: good social interaction, justice, leisure and free time ("time affluence"), a life in harmony with nature, etc. The post-growth or degrowth movement advocates a transformation path towards forms of economic activity and social (self-)organization in which the well-being of all is central and the ecological foundations of life are preserved.

In societies geared towards economic growth, more and more people are already embracing the principles of "post-growth," for example, by foregoing material advancement in favor of more time, adopting a vegan diet, or joining solidarity-based, community-oriented initiatives. These are important approaches, but simply changing individual lifestyles will not be enough to transform the imperial economic system. For a good life to be possible for everyone worldwide, new social frameworks are needed, based on the principles of global justice, social inclusion, and ecological sustainability. This transformation must originate in the industrialized nations of the Global North. It can succeed if we clearly define what we are striving for: a world in which we can grow and develop in peace; in which humanity and nature retain their dignity; in which we have time for what is important to us; in which everyone can contribute their abilities…