1. Vocabulary.
Write eight true pairs of sentences about yourself or your opinions using each of the words below.
downshifting
obsolescence
consumerism
self-taught
self-employed
self-access
down-to-earth
ups and downs
For example:
In my opinion, downshifting has a lot to be said about it. I mean, it makes a lot of sense, because ...
Being self-employed can be quite stressful, as you don't have a steady income. This means that ...
2. Sentence starters.
Complete these eight sentences so that they are true for you.
Not having ...
Having ...
Seeing ...
Being ...
I have a burning desire to ...
I think that it's a crying shame that ...
It's not nice being ...
I have a nagging suspicion that ...
For example:
Seeing old photos always makes me feel nostalgic.
I think that it's a crying shame that so much food is produced and then just thrown away.
3. Sayings. (OPTIONAL)
Look at these sayings. Do you know more sayings like these, or can you make some up? Note that they all start with an -ing form.
Trying to do something and failing is better than never trying at all.
Sharing a problem with someone is like halving it.
Learning a new language is like making a new friend.
Travelling towards your destination is better than arriving there.
Post your sentences in the Proficiency Forum. Read and comment on what other students write.
3. Meaning in context.
Read the critiques again and choose the best definition for the underlined words.
Economic liberalism
Those who support economic liberalism believe that the creation of wealth is brought about by economic growth, thus increasing employment, which in turn improves quality of life, along with better education and health care. In other words, the more resources, the greater the improvement in all spheres. Considered from this point of view, degrowth constitutes economic recession and as a result is a destroyer of wealth. A further liberal criticism of degrowth asserts that progress is inherently and increasingly linked to discovery and knowledge rather than the use of physical resources, and that advances in technology will eventually solve the world's environmental problems.
Self-regulation of the market
Supporters of self-regulation of the market believe that the market responds to its surroundings. That's to say, if a particular non-renewable resource becomes scarce, the market will limit its extraction via two mechanisms: firstly by increasing its price (supply and demand), and secondly by the increase in funding for the development of alternatives (i.e. renewable energy, recycling, etc.). This position argues that allowing market forces to take effect is the most rational way of solving the problem, and considers that these forces are far more efficient than centralised systems of decision making. Market capitalism can take advantage of the exploitation of energy sources that were previously not economically viable.
Creative destruction
The concept of degrowth is founded on the hypothesis that an increase in production automatically implies the consumption of more energy and raw materials, while at the same time decreasing the size of the labour force, as workers are replaced by machines. This analysis is considered to be misleading from the point of view that technological progress allows us to produce more with less, as well as provide more services. This is what is known as creative destruction, the process by which the "old" companies from a sector disappear, along with their costly and polluting technologies. As a result of the innovation, costs are reduced, along with consumption of energy and raw materials, adding up to increased productivity. This reduction in costs simultaneously allows for investment in new advances to further replace old technologies.
5. Discourse markers.
What is the function of the underlined phrases? Choose the correct option.
Economic liberalism
Those who support economic liberalism believe that the creation of wealth is brought about by economic growth, thus increasing employment, which in turn improves quality of life, along with better education and health care. In other words, the more resources, the greater the improvement in all spheres. Considered from this point of view, degrowth constitutes economic recession and as a result is a destroyer of wealth. A further liberal criticism of degrowth asserts that ...
Self-regulation of the market
Supporters of self-regulation of the market believe that the market responds to its surroundings. That's to say, if a particular non-renewable resource becomes scarce, the market will limit its extraction via two mechanisms ...
Creative destruction
The concept of degrowth is founded on ...
... As a result of the innovation, costs are reduced, along with consumption of energy and raw materials, adding up to increased productivity. This reduction in costs simultaneously allows for investment in new advances to further replace old technologies.
6. Write.
Choose one of the two alternatives.
Alternative 1 – A critique summary
Read notes on two more critiques of degrowth. Use these notes and your own ideas to write two critiques, like the ones in the previous exercises. Try to incorporate expressions from the previous exercise:
Making things clear: in other words, that's to say
Indicating causes or results: is brought about by, thus, which in turn, as a result, adding up to
Critique notes
Developing countries question
degrowth ideology – contradictions – what about lesser-developed countries?
they need growth – attain prosperity – improve standard of living, well-being, etc. – supporters of degrowth say: acceptable level of well-being is independent of wealth, but where does the balance lie? – what's an acceptable level of growth?
developed nations "degrow" – developing nations grow – but how much?
Technological critique
- supporters of scientific progress say: it solves energy, waste and raw materials
- problems and needs
- this ideology inspired by an optimistic view of technology and the future
- they say: with time there is a reduction in energy consumption and increase in production, but evidence over past 20 years does not prove this
Write between 75 and 100 words for each critique. Check spelling, grammar and organisation carefully before posting it in the Forum.
Alternative 2 – Your place of work or study
Think about your place of work or study and reflect on one or more of the following points:
- How it could better accommodate the needs of the people who work or study there.
- How it could be organised to run more effectively and productively.
- How the organisation could better achieve its goals and compete more successfully in its market or field.
Include words and expressions from this section.
Write between 200 and 250 words. Check spelling, grammar and organisation carefully before posting it in the Forum.
1. Post your tasks in the Proficiency Forum..
2. Go to the Proficiency Forum. Read and comment on what other students write.
7. Write and reply.
What do you think?
1. Watch the first three minutes of a video online called Living Without Economic Growth by Charles Eisenstein. Write a summary of the first part of the video. What are the main points that Eisenstein makes? Post your summary in the Proficiency Forum.
2. Go to the Proficiency Forum. Read some of the other students’ summaries. Watch the video again. Which summary was the most exact? Choose one or two. Click on "Write a reply" and write your feedback. You might be able to use some of the following phrases:
This is a great summary.
You included all the most important points.
I missed the point about …
I’m not sure he mentioned ...
I think what he was saying was …
Follow up any interesting discussions that evolve.