Book Description

A Publishers Weekly Most Ancitipated Book of Spring 2025

A bold call to abandon the myth of endless economic growth and embrace a sustainable, just, and thriving future. 

★ “Blistering debut... An urgent and elegant challenge to the status quo.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

One of the most deeply ingrained beliefs of our age is that perpetual economic growth is the solution to most, if not all, of society’s problem. In Slow Down or Die, French economist Timothée Parrique brilliantly challenges this myth, demonstrating how producing more won’t solve climate change, poverty, or inequality. In fact, our obsession with growth is accelerating social and ecological collapse. 

Parrique argues that we don’t need endless growth to prosper; instead, we must radically rethink how our economies are organized. He reveals that the GDP, the standard measure of progress, is blind to human well-being and environmental health, making it a poor—and indeed, dangerous—guide for the future. 

This book proposes a different vision, tracing a path toward a “post-growth” economy where decisions are made collectively and democratically. The goal is not the infinite accumulation of wealth but the creation of a just, equitable, and sustainable society. In this accessible and inspiring work, Parrique invites us to embrace a future of moderation and shared prosperity, proving that slowing down is the key to true progress and equality. 

About the Author

Timothée Parrique is an economist originally from Versailles, France. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Clermont Auvergne and the University of Stockholm, and is currently aresearcherat the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Claire Benoit is a translator and a lawyer practicing immigration and tax law. She lives between Brooklyn, NY, and Paris, France.