CASSE briefing papers are 2-pagers that cover economic growth and the steady state economy in a succinct and accessible way. The purpose is to explain economic concepts so that policy makers and citizens can readily understand them.

What Is a Steady State Economy?

Graphic representing a steady state economy, where the economy remains stagnant or mildly fluctuates, and does not exceed ecological limits.

Trophic Structure of the Economy

Hierarchical pyramid which represents the trophic structure of the economy. According to the trophic theory of money, agriculture and extraction are at the base, followed by heavy manufacturing, and light manufacturing at the top.

GDP & Wellbeing Indicators

An image of a a scope aimed at the word growth, representing the steady state mentality that growth is the root of our economic and ecological troubles.

Sustainable Scale: Optimizing Over Maximizing

Image of a balanced scale representing the equity and consistency inherent in a steady state economy, the sustainable solution to limits to growth.

The Insufficiency of Efficiency

Image of a power strip with too few slots to support all of the plugs lying on the ground. This image represents the insufficiency of efficiency in our current economy.

Banks in a Steady State Economy

Photo of a globe surrounded by stacks of coins.

Agriculture in a Steady State Economy

Photo of a field of crops, representing the agriculture segment of the steady state economy.