Research and Insights ⏐ Special Series

Annual Debate Series

The world is in the midst of a profound transformation, with the economy at its center. The coming years will determine whether this change happens by disaster or by design. As part of the annual debate series initiative, we invite critical and constructive discussions about the challenges and requirements for a sustainable economy. With curiosity, openness and a sense of responsibility, we show the diversity of what is already conceivable and feasible today.

The 2023-24 series exploring the impulse of "boundaries", has been produced in cooperation with the online magazine, Makronom and E4F's German Network.

Urban Infrastructure Transformation: Navigating Planetary Boundaries and Social Justice in an Urbanising World

Transforming infrastructure away from a mere catalyst for urban and economic growth offers an opportunity to meet basic needs while enhancing wellbeing and safeguarding planetary boundaries. The sixth contribution by Astrid Krisch. Give it a read, debate, rebut and engage with this submission. The 2023-24 debate series focuses on ‘boundaries’ – be it planetary boundaries and social foundations, the limits of feasibility and political enforceability, the limits of economic theory, or outdated paradigms, the limits of the subject, space, or time.

Astrid Krisch

Heading Towards an Existential Economics

Where does a subject begin – and where does it end? This question is central to how we think about and organize economics. This question is explored by Manuel Schulz in the fifth contribution to the series. The author says, "We are not externally and disconnected from things and other people, but we are existentially entangled with both spheres in a bodily perceptible manner – an overall context in which an economics oriented toward the human image of homo clausus conceptually must fail". Give it a read, debate, rebut and engage with this submission. The 2023-24 debate series focuses on ‘boundaries’ – be it planetary boundaries and social foundations, the limits of feasibility and political enforceability, the limits of economic theory, or outdated paradigms, the limits of the subject, space, or time.

Manuel Schulz

The (self-imposed) Limits of Science

Modern academia has not provided a conducive environment for research that is critical and can aid societal transformation. Reform should address four major issues. Read the fourth contribution to the series, a piece by Stephan Pühringer and Carina Altreiter. Give it a read, debate, rebut and engage with this submission. The 2023-24 debate series focuses on ‘boundaries’ – be it planetary boundaries and social foundations, the limits of feasibility and political enforceability, the limits of economic theory, or outdated paradigms, the limits of the subject, space, or time.

Stephan Pühringer & Carina Altreiter

Green Light for Green Growth?

Linear economic practices are firmly established despite alternative proposals. However, effective implementation of the circular economy is necessary to significantly reduce the footprint of human consumption. A contribution by Patricia Urban. Give it a read, debate, rebut and engage with this submission. The 2023-24 debate series focuses on ‘boundaries’ – be it planetary boundaries and social foundations, the limits of feasibility and political enforceability, the limits of economic theory, or outdated paradigms, the limits of the subject, space, or time.

Patricia Urban

How Do We Steer Our Economy?

The 2023-24 debate series focuses on ‘boundaries’ – be it planetary boundaries and social foundations, the limits of feasibility and political enforceability, the limits of economic theory, or outdated paradigms, the limits of the subject, space, or time. Read the second intervention by Dirk Ehnts where they elaborate on the previous use of fiscal policy, monetary policy, and trade policy that has led to complex problems. To solve these, they say, we must use our economic policy instruments differently. Give it is a read, debate, rebut and engage with this submission.

Dirk Ehnts

Responses to the Pincers Crisis

The old capitalist centers, as well as the major emerging economies, are in the midst of an epochal upheaval. Political approaches that ignore the issue of climate injustice will provoke strong resistance to socio-ecological transformation. The 2023-24 Annual Debate series is out now in English and the kick-off intervention for this season is made by Klaus Dörre.

Klaus Dörre

Voices in Transition Series

Voices in Transition is an article series by Economists for Future and Rethinking Economics International that brings critical insights from the Global South into European policy debates. These articles are written by authors from the Global South or those actively working on policy questions at the intersection of the two blocks.

With each article, we hope to provide a grounded analysis of the issue at hand. We are also open to article pitch from members of the public, if this is of interest, send us your pitch through this form (🔗), and we will get back to you!

From Growth to Grounding: A Wellbeing Economics Agenda

This first article in the Voices in Transition series challenges GDP as a measure of progress and proposes wellbeing economics—a plural, reparative, and relational alternative grounded in Indigenous and Majority World knowledge systems. It critiques the extractive and gender-blind legacies of development, highlighting lived alternatives across Africa, Asia, and Latin America that centre care, dignity, and ecological balance. The paper calls for decolonising development policy through participatory design, data sovereignty, and intergenerational justice—reframing development not as intervention, but as collective liberation.

Lebohang Liepollo Pheko