A critical review of voluntary simplicity: Definitional inconsistencies, movement identity and direction for future research

ABSTRACT

Voluntary simplicity (VS) is the contemporary version of an ancient notion where inner growth is prioritized over riches and material accumulation. The VS lifestyle is often discussed as a more sustainable lifestyle, which has been a primary factor for attracting interest from a range of research disciplines. However, definitional inconsistencies plague VS. This has resulted in incompatible research methodologies in identifying the different categories of participants that can be associated with this lifestyle. This article addresses the main definitional issues of VS and provides a set of “VS criteria” that can be useful for future empirical work and for discussing the different levels of simplicity. VS has also been criticized for lacking political teeth and the inability to influence structure change. The extent that VS can be considered a social movement is also discussed and suggestions for further research on this topic are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Voluntary simplicity
• Downshifting
• New social movements
• Simple living
• Frugal consumption

Funding

Griffith University is the sole funding body this work.

Notes

¹ Important to note is that the studies referenced do acknowledge that VS involves other dimensions besides consuming less. However, in their statistical analyses, the “VS construct” is heavily based on different facets of consumption, which may be an over-simplistic evaluation of VS.