Permacircularity (economy, sociocultural policies and governance)

The framework of Permacircularity was developed by Christian Arnsperger and Dominique Bourg around 2014, applying the permaculture principles of a permanent culture to the design and analysis of circular economies. In a wide-view analysis of circular economy models and practices, Martin Calisto Friant and colleagues have analysed using various perspectives.

Approach to social, economic, environmental and political considerations: Holistic, Segmented

Technological innovation and collapse: Optimist, Sceptical

Reformist Circular Society [Holistic, Optimist]

Assumptions: Reformed capitalism is compatible with sustainability and socio-technical innovations can enable eco-economic decoupling. Goal: Economic prosperity and human well-being within the biophysical boundaries of the Earth. Means: Technological breakthroughs and social innovations that benefit humanity and natural ecosystems.

Transformational Circular Society [Holistic, Sceptical]

Assumptions: Capitalism is incompatible with sustainability and socio-technical innovations cannot bring absolute enable eco-economic decoupling to prevent collapse. Goal: A world of conviviality and frugal abundance for all, while fairly distributing the biophysical resources of the Earth. Means: Complete reconfiguration of the current socio-political system and a shift away from productivist and antropocentric worldviews.

Technocentric Circular Economy [Segmented, Optimist]

Assumptions: Capitalism is compatible with sustainability and technological innovations can enable eco-economic decoupling to prevent ecological collapse. Goal: Sustainable human progress and prosperity without negative environmental externalities. Means: Economic innovations, new business models and unprecedented breakthrough in circular economy technologies.

Fortress Circular Economy [Segmented, Sceptical]

Assumptions: There is no alternative to capitalism and socio-technical innovations cannot bring absolute eco-economic decoupling to prevent ecological collapse. Goal: Maintain geostrategic resource security in global conditions where widespread resource scarcity and human overpopulation cannot provide for all. Means: Innovative technologies and business models combined with rationalized resource use and strict migration and population control.