Can the economy grow forever?
If not, what’s the rational alternative?
“The answer to almost every problem is ‘more economic growth’. The problem is unemployment; only growth can create the jobs. Schools and hospitals are underfunded; the answer is faster growth. We can’t afford to protect the environment; the solution is more growth. Poverty is entrenched; growth will rescue the poor. Income distribution is unequal; the answer is more growth.
If the answer to the problem is always more growth then who dares ask the question: What if the problems are caused by economic growth?” ~Clive Hamilton (1998:26)
There have been countless articles, publications and books, over many decades, challenging the mainstream narrative that assumes endless economic growth. Many have actually dared to ask this question and invariably agree: the endless pursuit of ever-increasing amounts of economic activity is indeed the cause of many of social, environmental AND economic problems.
How is it that anyone who actually questions the growth narrative reaches this conclusion yet the mainstream discourse never critically examines it? Are politicians, business interests and the media all talking to each other in a bubble of self-reaffirming rhetoric, failing to see what is plainly obvious. Or are all the critics just wrong?
