Overcoming the Competitiveness Imperative as a Basic Condition for Global Degrowth: De-Competitiveness as a Research Agenda

Abstract The imperative of international competitiveness is a central dispositif of the prevailing capitalist-imperial and growth-oriented global economic and political order. A global degrowth perspective, as part of comprehensive, socio-ecological transformations based on solidarity, must address this issue, as the focus on competitiveness is a key obstacle to the desired and necessary changes. After a brief outline of the prevailing views on competition and competitiveness, and a brief history of the recent discourse on competitiveness since the beginning of neoliberal globalization, this article presents a multidimensional critique outlining the assumed and real compulsion of business locations to remain internationally competitive, and focusing on the discursive, political-strategic and structural foundations. The critique considers different societal interests, the role of the state and the international political economy, the ecological dimension, and the hegemonic character of competitiveness. The article formulates a research program, proposes the concept of de-competitiveness, and concludes that scientific and social controversies are necessary in order to challenge the hitherto unchallenged doxa of the competitiveness imperative.