Week 4: degrowth vs Economic de-growth vs. steady-state economy Christian Kerschner* Flashcards
What is economic de-growth according to Christian Kerschner in “Economic De-growth vs. Steady-State Economy”?
Economic de-growth refers to the equitable downscaling of production and consumption to increase human well-being and improve ecological conditions at local and global levels.
equitable = fair and equal
: How does Herman Daly define a steady-state economy (SSE)?
An economy with constant stocks of people, artifacts and natural capital (or just capital) maintained at desired levels by minimizing material and energy throughput within ecological limits.
artifact = object made by humans
Why does Kerschner argue that de-growth and SSE are complementary concepts?
- economic de-growth in the global North is a path toward achieving a globally equitable SSE, balancing resource use between rich and poor regions.
What critique does Georgescu-Roegen offer against the steady-state economy?
Georgescu-Roegen criticizes SSE for being unrealistic due to entropy and the impossibility of complete recycling, advocating for de-growth instead.
What role does population play in discussions of SSE and de-growth?
-Population stabilization or reduction is crucial for achieving sustainability, but discussions of population are often avoided due to their sensitive nature.
What are the criticisms of the entropy argument in the context of SSE?A
Critics argue that
- solar energy influx and
- technological advances may allow for material recycling and sustainability, challenging the strict interpretation of entropy limits.
What are the propositions in Daly’s SSE model?
Daly proposes
(1) depletion quotas (an amount of natural resources that can be extracted from the environment over a specific time period.)
(2) distribution mechanisms to reduce inequality
(3) population control measures.
How does Kerschner describe the concept of “unattainable goals”?
SSE should be viewed as an unattainable yet aspirational goal, motivating sustainable actions without expecting perfection.
What is the “moral growth” concept in relation to economic models?
Moral growth involves
- ethical societal development
- emphasizing compassion
- solidarity, and sustainable practices as prerequisites for de-growth and SSE.
How do de-growth movements differ from SSE proponents in their approach?
De-growth movements focus on grassroots initiatives and radical change, while SSE proponents emphasize macroeconomic policies and top-down strategies.
