The Steady-State Economy As A Solution to The World’s Problems: A Theoretical Examination of The Greatest Environmental Problem Facing Human Society

Authors

Brianna L. Besch, Macalester CollegeFollow

Abstract

This paper is a theoretical exploration of the questioning, if you were given a magic power to solve one, and only one, of the worlds problem outlined by a classic environmental author, which would you solve, and why? While the field of environmental studies is relatively new, since the publishing of Malthus’ An Essay on the Principles of Population environmental scholars have been debating what should be considered the greatest environmental problem facing humanity. This paper explains how the creation of a steady-state economy to replace our current economic system, as described by Herman Daly, offers a holistic solution to the world’s problems. It briefly outlines how the steady-state economy would operate, and then overviews how the creation of a steady state economy would create the solution to many other world problems outlined by other classic environmental authors.

Recommended Citation

Besch, Brianna L. (2012) "The Steady-State Economy As A Solution to The World’s Problems: A Theoretical Examination of The Greatest Environmental Problem Facing Human Society," The Macalester Review: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/macreview/vol2/iss1/6