These are the CASSE blog articles on the steady state economy.
To determine whether economic growth is desirable requires us to examine its value objectively, without blindly assuming that all growth is worth pursuing. Growth comes with both benefits and costs. The goal is to grow the economy when the benefits are higher than the costs and to have the wisdom to stop growing when the costs catch up. The economic laws of diminishing marginal utility and increasing marginal costs tell us that,
Recognizing the conflict between economic growth and various goals for society, we stand up for sane macroeconomic policies.
Most of us are pressed for time (yet another ailment stemming from the growth economy), so it’s understandable that everyone can’t undertake a series of personal actions to promote the steady state economy. But you can help CASSE work on sustainability, economic justice, and maintaining the resource base for future generations by becoming a member or making a donation. As an added bonus, you can rest assured that your expenditure won’t be used to grow the economy!
One of the most cost-effective and helpful ways to support CASSE is by becoming a member. Membership dues provide funds that enable us to tell the truth about economic growth, stand up for a sustainable and fair economy, and work on how to make the transition to a steady state economy in the most prosperous and equitable way possible.
It’s fast and secure to make an online donation to CASSE today.
Become a member of CASSE, one of the leanest organizations in the nonprofit world. Our staff is comprised almost entirely of distinguished volunteers. Our few paid staff are “walking the talk” with light ecological footprints and modest salaries, happy to work for CASSE due to the refreshing sense of purpose. As a member, you won’t get any colorful journals or tote bags, but you can join in that sense of purpose.
Politicians need to hear from us. They need to understand that the tired strategy of growing the economy isn’t going to solve our problems. Their repeated calls for economic growth are largely due to a lack of understanding about the downsides of economic growth and a lack of awareness about the alternative—a dynamic, healthy steady state economy. Please consider contacting your politicians, from city hall to the statehouse to the national legislature,
Many professors of economics overlook the ecological consequences of the theories and policies they teach. The trans-disciplinary field of ecological economics is gaining a foothold in universities, but mainstream, neoclassical economists control the vast majority of classrooms. We encourage you to ask economists lots of questions — the point is to start discussions that will expose assumption-based doctrine and replace it with science-based facts.
The questions below provide a solid “starter” list.
How is infinite economic growth possible on a finite planet?
Writing a letter to the editor is a tried and true method for informing fellow citizens. Following are real letters submitted to nationally prominent newspapers on subjects related to the steady state economy. Some have been published, but remain useful as templates. One may expect a publication rate of 10 to 30% with letters such as these (tip: USA Today is one of the easier national newspapers to get a letter published in).
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