Title: Realizing justice in a steady state economy
Abstract:
How can justice be realized in non-growing economies? This paper contributes to the philosophical discussion about a postgrowth or steady state economy, building on contributions by Rose, Kogelman and others. It focusses on two sets of questions: do policies that would lead to a steady state economy violate state neutrality, and can justice in a steady state be achieved in a stable way that generates sufficient legitimacy? On the latter point, I draw on Kopenawa’s account of Yanomami philosophy to discuss a model of how legitimacy-conferring acts of seeking and gaining recognition can exist outside of a growth-driven economic model. Within Western societies, however, both arguments lead to the need for more government involvement to realize justice in a steady state economy. They lead to a pro tanto argument for liberal socialism over property-owning democracy.
Bio:
Lisa Herzog is professor of political philosophy at the University of Groningen and works at the intersection of political philosophy and economic thought. She holds a master (Diplom) in economics from LMU Munich, and an M.St. in Philosophy and D.Phil. in Political Theory from the University of Oxford. She has published on the philosophical dimensions of markets, economic justice, ethics in organizations, and the future of work. The current focus of her work are economic democracy and the philosophy of work. Her most recent monograph is The Democratic Marketplace (HUP 2025).
We are very grateful for the support provided by the Stone Centre on Wealth and Income Inequality at the Vancouver School of Economics for this event.
