ABSTRACT
Daly’s proposal for a steady-state economy has not been well-received by mainstream economists still committed to the growth paradigm. Some heterodox economists, even those who share Daly’s environmental perspective, have also been critical though for different reasons. These critics include proponents degrowth, Marxists and various individuals who object to specific aspects of Daly’s prescription of a steady-state economy though are in general sympathy with him on the need for radical change.
Points of disagreement include Daly’s continued support for the market as an efficient allocative mechanism for some goods and under certain conditions, his views on population and migration, that degrowth and a steady-state economy are compatible, and his belief that reform is possible.
Some of the critics of Daly’s steady-state economy see their objections as undermining the whole steady-state enterprise, without necessarily having anything, let alone anything better, to put in its place. Daly sees it differently. To him weaknesses in his analysis of problems and proposed solutions are opportunities for improvement and collaboration.
