THE STEADY STATE PATHWAY: A STRATEGY FOR CHANGE

1. The major obstacles to those working for a change to the steady state
economy (SSE) alternative are:

a) The present system of endless economic growth (EEG) is totally dominant and totally hostile to the SSE;

b) In this situation, at this stage, very few people are aware of the SSE and its benefits;

c) When more people do become aware of the SSE, to many, the size of the task of making the change will appear to be impossible; and

d) Success with making progress towards the SSE could have the converse effect of making the EEG more acceptable and extending its life span, unless it is clear to everyone where we are going and that a full change will be achieved over time

2.  Unless there is revolution the changeover will take place within the existing system and it is this EEG system that must dismantled. To create a favourable environment for these changes we must:

a) Stress the faults in the existing system in terms of its: i) being fundamental flawed (endless EG in a finite planet) leading to a likely eventual disaster for life on earth if not ended; ii) its unfairness; in terms of today's society and the future (stealing from the poor and from future generations); iii) the lack of safety from inevitable warring over resources;

b) make it clear that the transformative measures whilst steps in the right direction are only that, and that until the EEG is completely replaced the threat of catastrophe remains.

3. A major part of the strategy for change must be making more people aware of the SSE. This means that the explanation of what it is, its benefits, and how it can be achieved need to be talked about in every forum including the mainstream media. I suggest the tagging of the SSE and the transformative measures with "There is a better way". One way of illustrating how big ideas can succeed against the pro development mainstream is the example of the national parks - areas set aside for protection of the environment and long term common use by humans, locked up against resource exploitation for short term benefits.

4. Different parts of society are likely to be interested in different parts of the SSE agenda. For instance: a) changes to governance with a move to localised self government and participatory democracy (example - referenda); b) changes in trade in goods with a move to resource self sufficiency and self reliance through the restriction of overseas trade and through community action to defend their environment and cut off  supply; c) helping others around the world move towards self sufficiency and self governance free from exploitation and inequity; and d) stabilising population by limiting immigration to levels similar to emigration.

5. But above all of these actions need to be explained in terms of moves to the end goal of a SSE in which we live within Earth's means in greater social harmony, with environmental security replacing military security and war .

Geoff Mosley

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