Document Type
Article
Abstract
The steady-state is a political and economic theory that recognizes many of the detrimental problems caused by capitalism, while not accepting socialism as the solution. The steady-state paves its own way as a political theory with the main goal of consuming resources sustainably to save the planet and improve the lives of the public. The stationary state, as he named it, was first written about by John Stuart Mill in the early nineteenth century and was
expanded upon to include action policies by Herman Daly in the late twentieth century. In a steady state, resource use stays constant so that humans do not over consume earth’s natural materials. In order to keep resource use constant, population must also stay constant and
subsequently, there will be no GDP growth, the economy must remain the same size year after year. In the steady-state, progress in the sense of intellectual innovation is preferred to economic growth, heavy government involvement in the markets is necessary, and equality must be all-encompassing. Steady-state policies have yet to be introduced on a large scale in any country but programs like a four day work week are promising in achieving the goals of a steady-state.
Recommended Citation
Zasiebida, Sofia '23
(2022)
"The Steady-State: It’s Time to Rustle Some Jimmies,"
Zeitgeist: A Journal of Politics, History, and Philosphy: Vol. 2022:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/zeitgeist/vol2022/iss1/2