Can there be prosperity without growth?
Keynote by Tim Jackson at Utrecht University
23 September 2025
From the Utrecht University website:
Under capitalism, we have learned that more is always better: more innovation, more consumption, more wealth. But we can’t keep growing forever, according to economist Tim Jackson. He advocates for a postgrowth society, where economic growth is no longer the leading principle.
But how can we build an economy that prioritises wellbeing instead of wealth? And if we can no longer increase our planet’s limited resources, what else should we strive for?
Jackson’s reflections are more urgent than ever in a time of climate change, inequality and political unrest. What if the key to durable prosperity is not endless expansion, but knowing when to stop?
The event was hosted in collaboration with Vision for the Future (Utrecht University).
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