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Overcoming accumulation: Is a capitalist steady-state economy possible?

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  • Blauwhof, Frederik Berend

Abstract

This article critically reviews the case for a steady-state, zero growth economy posing the question whether such an economy can be stable and socially just, given that in the current global economy lack of growth is synonymous with crisis. The SSE thesis is analysed within a framework of Marxian political economy concluding that a stable and just SSE is possible, but not feasible within the social relations of capitalism. Using the Marxian analysis of capital accumulation, the article then considers whether the reforms proposed by ecological economists can form an effective countervailing force to the drive for accumulation. The conclusion is that such reforms can be successful, but only in so far as they are complemented and brought to their logical conclusion by a wider attempt to transcend the capitalist relations of production.

Suggested Citation

  • Blauwhof, Frederik Berend, 2012. "Overcoming accumulation: Is a capitalist steady-state economy possible?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 254-261.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:84:y:2012:i:c:p:254-261
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.03.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Booth, Douglas E., 1995. "Economic democracy as an environmental measure," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 225-236, March.
    2. Burkett, Paul, 2004. "Marx's reproduction schemes and the environment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 457-467, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Richters, Oliver & Siemoneit, Andreas, 2019. "Wachstumszwang – eine Übersicht," ZOE Discussion Papers 3, ZOE. institute for future-fit economies, Bonn.
    3. Malmaeus, J. Mikael & Alfredsson, Eva C., 2017. "Potential Consequences on the Economy of Low or No Growth - Short and Long Term Perspectives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 57-64.
    4. Rammelt, Crelis F. & Boes, Jan, 2013. "Galtung meets Daly: A framework for addressing inequity in ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 269-277.
    5. Buch-Hansen, Hubert, 2018. "The Prerequisites for a Degrowth Paradigm Shift: Insights from Critical Political Economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 157-163.
    6. Elke Pirgmaier & Julia K. Steinberger, 2019. "Roots, Riots, and Radical Change—A Road Less Travelled for Ecological Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Spash, Clive L., 2019. "Time for a Paradigm Shift: From Economic Growth andPrice-Making Markets to Social Ecological Economics," SRE-Discussion Papers 2019/07, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    8. Tokic, Damir, 2012. "The economic and financial dimensions of degrowth," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 49-56.
    9. Theodore P. Lianos, 2018. "Steady State Economy and Population," South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics, Association of Economic Universities of South and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region, vol. 16(1), pages 7-19.
    10. Rätzer, Matthias & Hartz, Ronald & Winkler, Ingo, 2018. "Editorial: Post-Growth Organizations," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 29(3), pages 193-205.
    11. Spash, Clive L., 2020. "A tale of three paradigms: Realising the revolutionary potential of ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    12. Pinkerton, Evelyn, 2015. "The role of moral economy in two British Columbia fisheries: Confronting neoliberal policies," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 410-419.
    13. Schiemann, Christoph & Wilmsen, Felix, 2017. "Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten postwachstumsökonomischer Suffizienz- und Subsistenzansätze in der urbanen Praxis?," Beiträge zur Wirtschaftsgeographie und Regionalentwicklung 1-2017, Universität Bremen, Institut für Geographie.
    14. Richters, Oliver & Siemoneit, Andreas, 2017. "Fear of stagnation? A review on growth imperatives," VÖÖ Discussion Papers 6/2017, Vereinigung für Ökologische Ökonomie e.V. (VÖÖ).
    15. Thiermann, Ute B. & Sheate, William R., 2020. "Motivating individuals for social transition: The 2-pathway model and experiential strategies for pro-environmental behaviour," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    16. Małgorzata Zachara-Szymańska, 2021. "A Postcapitalistic People? Examining the Millennial Generation’s Economic Philosophies and Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-13, March.
    17. Perles Ribes, José Francisco & Ivars Baidal , Josep, 2018. "Smart sustainability: a new perspective in the sustainable tourism debate," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 42, pages 151-170.
    18. Martin Groen, 2019. "Zero growth: A grand challenge for the Asia-Pacific region," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(4), pages 632-647, November.
    19. Richters, Oliver & Siemoneit, Andreas, 2019. "Growth imperatives: Substantiating a contested concept," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 126-137.
    20. Julien Salama, 2023. "Financing the post-growth state," Post-Print hal-04280023, HAL.
    21. Kallis, Giorgos & Gómez-Baggethun, Erik & Zografos, Christos, 2013. "To value or not to value? That is not the question," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 97-105.
    22. Dittmer, Kristofer, 2015. "100 percent reserve banking: A critical review of green perspectives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 9-16.
    23. Buch-Hansen, Hubert, 2014. "Capitalist diversity and de-growth trajectories to steady-state economies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 167-173.
    24. Hovardas, Tasos, 2016. "Two paradoxes with one stone: A critical reading of ecological modernization," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 1-7.
    25. Oliver Richters & Andreas Siemoneit, 2018. "The contested concept of growth imperatives: Technology and the fear of stagnation," Working Papers V-414-18, University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics, revised Nov 2018.

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