The two sides of a coin

In form of an interactive exhibition, the participants independently deal with the pros and cons of economic growth using short texts.

Learning Objectives:

The participants…

• engage with various arguments for and against economic growth and discuss them with one another.
• critically reflect on economic growth in the context of global justice and the climate crisis.

Procedure:

Preparation:
This activity requires some preparation time. First, print, cut out, and glue the medals. Then, place them around the room where participants can easily read them and move around freely while viewing them. Alongside the medals, hang flip chart sheets with reflection questions (see materials) for the silent discussion. If the method is conducted without hanging or preparing the medals (see variation), the preparation time is reduced.

Implementation:

1. (5-10 Minutes) What is growth? :
   Begin by briefly discussing with the participants what is meant by economic growth and explaining what the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is.
2. (10 Minutes) Why should the economy grow?:
   Next, briefly gather reasons why the economy should grow (write them down on the flip chart). Common arguments like jobs, prosperity, and tax revenues will usually be mentioned and can be found on the medals.
3. (5 Minutes) Explain the process:
   Now, explain the process: The medals, containing arguments for and against growth, are displayed around the room. Reflection questions encouraging silent discussion are also posted. For the silent discussion, blank flip chart sheets are placed around the room where participants can write their thoughts and questions, and comment on the contributions of others without speaking.
4. (20-30 minutes) Silent Discussion:
   Participants will have time to read the texts on the medals. During this time, the facilitator will be available for questions.
5. (10 Minutes) Evaluation:
   Conclude by gathering in a circle. The evaluation can focus on the following questions:
   • What was new to you in the room? What did you already know?
   • What interested, surprised, or made you think the most?
   • What are the connections between economic growth and global/climate justice?
   • Do we still need economic growth in Germany?
   • What about the countries in the Global South?
   • How do we ourselves contribute to growth in our daily lives?
   • What alternatives to a growth-oriented economy do you know or resonate with?
   • What challenges do you see in transitioning to an economy without growth?

Variations:

• The medals can also be worked on and presented in small groups. In this case, the medals can be used like worksheets.
• The debriefing can also be adapted to the “Fishbowl” method (see, for example, Fishbowl Method). It can be helpful to have the participants know in advance that they will be doing a Fishbowl discussion, to better prepare them for it. A Fishbowl discussion makes the method more challenging. Positions for the Fishbowl discussion could be:
  • Jobs and Social Systems: “Growth creates jobs and guarantees the stability of social systems” and “Redistribute work instead of seeking continuous growth.”
  • Global Social Equality: “Economic growth leads to social equality” and “Continuous economic growth is based on exploitation.”
  • Conceptions of Prosperity: “GDP is a good indicator of prosperity” and “We need other models to measure prosperity beyond GDP.”
  • Sustainability and Climate Change: “Economic growth enables climate protection and can be environmentally sustainable” and “Growth and sustainability/climate protection are mutually exclusive.”
  • Fishbowl Discussion on All Topics: “We need growth, but it must be environmentally and socially sustainable” and “We need a post-growth society.”

Digital Version:

This method is easily adaptable for a digital setting. All texts are available in PDF format and can be shared with participants.

A Fishbowl discussion also works digitally. You will need a shared document where the respective pro and con arguments are outlined. It can be made transparent how many seats are available for each argument by listing “Seat 1,” “Seat 2,” etc., under each argument. Once the discussion starts, participants can “take a seat” by writing their names in the document, and then “stand up” by removing their names when they are finished speaking.

Tips and Notes for Facilitators:

This method relies on participants’ self-directed learning. They can decide for themselves which texts they want to engage with more closely. It may be helpful to use only a selection of the medals. It’s essential for the facilitator to maintain neutrality and allow for both pro and con arguments to stand equally. The goal is for participants to form their own opinions without feeling judged.

Facilitators should also be aware that this topic can be complex and prepare accordingly. A background in feminist economic critique can enrich the method, as it offers a critical perspective on growth, especially concerning the undervaluation of care work. Additionally, the discussion about the viability of degrowth in a globalized world should not be overlooked.

Follow-up Possibilities:

This method is a good introduction to the topic. Depending on the focus, it can lead into various areas for further exploration. The methods touch on very complex phenomena, so depending on the audience, it might be worth delving deeper into specific points.