If the hashrate doesn't rise, then the difficulty doesn't rise. Bitcoin is not programmed to get more expensive. It gets more expensive in reaction to more demand.
Discussion
It gets more expensive due to a programmed disinflationary supply issuance. Nothing else has an immutably inelastic supply.
it doesn't matter how disinflationary something is if there is no demand for it.
Although I agree that a deflationary thing is much more sensitive to demand!
#Bitcoin is never before seen technology. There is nothing to compare it to. It is a different phenomenon. The immutably finite supply *alone* drives demand. People are surviving on this technology. The programmed increase in scarcity/value will only attract more people as other assets collapse in relation.
Betamax machines are deflationary. There are very few and the number gets smaller over the years.
Yet, they have very little value.
Something can be deflationary and not go up in price.
