Draft:Dépense

Definition of the concept

"Dépense", from the French word for "expenditure," refers to the concept of non-productive expenditures in economic processes. These expenditures are not essential for the maintenance and reproduction of life but encompass a range of activities such as luxury, mourning, war, religion, games, spectacles, the arts, and various forms of sexual activity. The concept suggests that societies inherently possess an excess of energy, termed the "accursed share" , which surpasses what is necessary for sustaining life. This excess energy, due to physiological or systemic limitations, often circulates aimlessly within the environment until it dissipates. Georges Bataille distinguishes between "servile" energy used for basic biological needs and "sovereign" energy expended on activities that do not directly contribute to survival but are integral to the cultural and spiritual aspects of society.

Origin of the term

The term "dépense" was first articulated by French philosopher and novelist Georges Bataille in his seminal essay "The Idea of Dépense," published in "La Critique Sociale" in January 1933. Bataille's exploration of the term was part of his broader inquiry into the "general economy," a theory that examines how societies manage surplus energy. This perspective was further elaborated in his subsequent works, including "L’économie à la mesure de l’univers" (1946), "La limite de l’utile" (published posthumously), and "La part maudite" (1949) and its sequels.

Dépense in the degrowth literature

The concept of dépense has been notably integrated into degrowth debates by Italian sociologist Onofrio Romano, who has significantly contributed to the discussion by relating Bataille’s ideas to contemporary ecological and economic challenges. Romano’s interpretation of dépense emphasizes its role in questioning the meaning of life and addressing the existential angst derived from the abundance of energy. According to Romano, excess energy requires a "sovereign" use, which places humans before fundamental existential questions and prompts a search for meaning beyond material satisfaction.

Romano discusses how the expenditure of excess energy can often serve as a relief from the pressure to find a higher purpose or utility in life, citing examples such as leisure activities that, while seemingly unproductive, provide essential psychological and social relief. He explores how modern societies, particularly in the context of degrowth, might utilize the concept of dépense to forge a path that diverges from the traditional growth-oriented economic model. The degrowth movement, which critiques the continuous pursuit of economic growth, finds resonance with Bataille’s critique of the utilitarian use of energy, advocating for a shift away from the production of privatized "positional" material goods, towards more collective, meaningful, sustainable and creatively fulfilling uses of surplus energy to produce "relational" goods.

Romano’s analysis highlights the potential of dépense to inspire a reevaluation of societal values, suggesting that a deeper engagement with this concept could challenge prevailing economic paradigms centered on scarcity and necessity. By emphasizing the unproductive use of excess energy as a form of cultural and spiritual enrichment, dépense encourages societies to reimagine how they address the challenges posed by surplus in ways that enhance human well-being and environmental sustainability.