The Praise of Sufficiency: Transforming Consumption Patterns in Light of Dematerialization

Abstract

Although the culture of consumption still reigns supreme in shaping the most commonplace human activities and decisions, as an apparently natural and self-evident logic, the transformation of current production and consumption patterns seems unavoidable—especially due to the progressive degradation of environmental components and social fabric. The design and implementation of a new paradigm—the paradigm of dematerialization—depend on the effective role of law in redefining rights and duties towards sufficiency and non-material well-being. In this regard, a fundamental duty of sufficiency is advocated, consistent with the planet's ecological limits and guided by the genuine life satisfaction of individuals.