Craintes et espérances : la crise du modèle libéral productiviste et son alternative verte

The author analyzes the collapse of the liberal-productivist model, which combined neoliberal deregulation with a drive for continuous material growth. This model failed due to a convergence of financial debt crises and ecological constraints, specifically the 'energy-climate crisis' and food price volatility. The author proposes a 'Green Deal' characterized by a shift toward labor-intensive green investments, a reduction in working hours, and a global cooperative framework for greenhouse gas (GHG) quotas. To fund this transition, the document suggests the 'monetization of debts'—canceling or rescheduling old debts while directing new credit toward green conversion. The text warns that without a democratic, cooperative transition, the world risks repeating the 1930s' slide into fascism or totalitarianism.

• The 'liberal-productivist' model, dominant since around 1980, is characterized by 'repressive taylorism' in the workplace and a 'debt economy' where consumption was maintained through credit rather than rising wages.
• The current crisis is a 'great crisis' because it is not merely financial but ecological, resembling 'Ancien Régime crises' where the limits of nature trigger systemic collapse.
• A 'triangle of energy risks' has emerged: fossil fuels bring GHG emissions and resource depletion; nuclear energy carries risks of accidents and waste; and biomass creates conflicts over land use (the 'FFFF dilemma').
• The author proposes a 'Green Deal' for the European Union that would reduce GHG emissions by a factor of 4 over 30 years, shifting the measure of progress from material consumption to 'free time'.
• Transitioning to a green economy is estimated to be highly job-creative; for example, a program to reduce CO2 by 30% by 2020 in the EU could create an excess of 10.5 million jobs compared to the previous model.
• To finance the transition without causing a credit crunch, the author suggests the European Central Bank (BCE) buy existing debts at a discount, freezing a portion of the funds to limit inflation and dedicating another portion to a 'Green Conversion Fund'.
• A global cooperative regime is necessary, including a 'sustainable endowment of GHG quotas' proportional to each country's population by 2050 and a 'Super Marshall Plan' for Least Developed Countries (PMA).
• The author warns that the current lack of international coordination and the rise of 'populism'—driven by fear and nationalism—could lead to a repeat of the 1930s, where economic crisis paved the way for fascism.

APA

Lipietz, A. (2012). Craintes et espérances : la crise du modèle libéral productiviste et son alternative verte. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/craintes-et-esperances-la-crise-du-modele-liberal-productiviste-et-son-alternative-verte/

Chicago

Lipietz, Alain. Craintes et espérances : la crise du modèle libéral productiviste et son alternative verte. Green European Journal, 2012. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/craintes-et-esperances-la-crise-du-modele-liberal-productiviste-et-son-alternative-verte/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lipietz |first1=Alain |title=Craintes et espérances : la crise du modèle libéral productiviste et son alternative verte |publisher=Green European Journal |date=1 March 2012 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/craintes-et-esperances-la-crise-du-modele-liberal-productiviste-et-son-alternative-verte/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lipietz2012craintes, author = {Lipietz, Alain}, title = {{Craintes et espérances : la crise du modèle libéral productiviste et son alternative verte}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2012}, month = mar, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/craintes-et-esperances-la-crise-du-modele-liberal-productiviste-et-son-alternative-verte/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }