ABSTRACT 

　　The article argues for the importance of the notion of reification for degrowth debates. Although degrowth scholars have usually expressed anti-capitalist positions, Marxist and degrowth traditions have often remained critical of each other. Yet in recent years many eco-Marxists have embraced degrowth, bringing critique of capital to the centre of degrowth concerns. This article argues that the Marxist notion of reification, which so far remains rarely invoked in degrowth debates, can meaningfully contribute towards strengthening the anti-capitalist nature of degrowth even more. The article offers a reading of Georg Lukács’ theory of reification from degrowth and ecocritical perspectives and further develops an account of labour as a non-reified and non-reifying practice. It concludes that degrowth as de-reification is premised on liberation of labour in its reproductive earthcaring and life-making capacities. 

　　KEYWORDS 

　　Reification; degrowth; labour; Lukács 

　　From: Capitalism Nature Socialism 2025 36 (3) 

　　Editor: Wang Yi