GRAS - Growth Applied Strategy

GRAS is a scenario strongly based on economic liberalism (relation to SRES: rather close to A1FI). It aims at maximising the freedom of business, to dismantle all regulations (national or international) which might interfere with the market mechanism and thus lead to inefficient allocation, and consequently to reduce the role of the state and focus on international competitiveness. The privatisation of publicly owned businesses is part of these efforts, as is reforming the social safety net to "enhance its robustness". This includes the transformation towards a more enabling than caring system, emphasising individual responsibility and the need to keep costs in check. Environmental policies rely on the market for medium to long term solutions, but may be forced to intervene in the short run, focussing on damage repair and limited prevention based on cost-benefit-calculations. No emphasis is given to biodiversity.

Deregulation, free trade, growth and globalisation are policy objectives actively pursued by governments. Due to an aversion to state interference with economic processes, no additional competencies are delegated to supranational institution, rather the need for national policies is emphasised. On the European level, the council and thus member states will get stronger control over EU politics, leading to re-nationalisation of European politics rather than to deepening integration. However, issues of power distribution and influence are not perceived, let alone publicly discussed as an element of the sustainable development concept.

On the other hand, a strong state is required to guarantee functioning markets and to prevent social unrest. While social services are reduced, law enforcement and military strength are emphasised as part of an international system to defend the freedom of markets and exchange. Democracy is mainly seen as the freedom of choice of consumers, whereas more "invasive" forms of participation, in society as in the business sector (co-decision), are reduced. Freedom of information is limited, as this might cause conflicts with classified business information.