A snail, after adding a number of widening rings to the delicate structure of its shell, suddenly brings its accustomed building activities to a stop. A single additional ring would increase the size of the shell sixteen times. Instead of contributing to the welfare of the snail, it would burden the creature with such an excess of weight that any increase in its productivity would henceforth be literally outweighed by the task of coping with the difficulties created by enlarging the shell beyond the limits set by its purpose. At that point, the problems of overgrowth begin to multiply geometrically, while the snail’s biological capacity can at best be extended arithmetically.
— Ivan Illich
Caracol DSA is a caucus of DSA comrades who believe degrowth provides us a set of answers, analysis, and tools to bend the bars of capitalism and usher in an era of ecological democracy. We know capitalism is not working for people or the planet: greenhouse gas emissions are rising, biodiversity loss is causing a mass extinction, and resource use is at all-time highs — all while failing to deliver for everyday peoples material and spiritual needs. Something new is required.
And yet, socialists and environmentalists in the United States in particular have been reluctant to embrace or engage with degrowth. Given the US’ outsized impact on the climate and ecological crisis, there is no country where the degrowth conversation is more important to be had. The Green New Deal (GND) changed the narrative on climate politics here in the United States and elsewhere. The idea of a speedy mobilization to decarbonize society led by public investment is now mainstream. Yet, the GND still suffers from many drawbacks, including its carbon reductionism, a lack of colonial and extractivist analysis, and a political program properly rooted in ecological science and philosophy. We find that degrowth provides answers to the shortcomings of the GND that can serve to complement the Green New Deal framework.
In Caracol DSA, we seek to politicize the economic growth imperative, build power with working class formations, environmental justice advocates, and political leaders, and educate the masses about degrowth. Ultimately, we seek to help usher in an era of postcapitalist, post-growth ecology whereby everyone’s material needs are provided for and people have the leisure to enjoy friends, family, nature, and their passions — all while living within the planet’s means.
Current members of Caracol DSA live across the United States, with common and different lived experiences, economic backgrounds, cultures, and education. Yet, we are united in the belief that capitalism is the cause of the ecological crisis, the working class will transition us beyond it, and that degrowth can help solve many of our overlapping ecological, class, gendered and racial crises. Over the coming months and years, we hope to grow the degrowth conversation in the United States and engage with its critics, skeptics, and advocates. All are welcome to contribute.
We believe a better world is possible. If you do too, please consider joining us in the fight for planetary ecosocialism.
Caracol DSA 