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Bad analogy to compare the growth rate of an economy with the speed of a train. A train is built to move people or cargo, here the speed is an important criterion. An economy has the purpose to satisfy the needs of the people, here growth is irrelevant and often counterproductive. In the train analogy, the growth rate of an economy should be compared with the acceleration of the train. This would show how irrational the growth requirement is. The EU population grows very slowly (les than .4 percent per year, mainly due to immigration), Europe is producing enough (while overusing natural resources world wide) that everyone would be able to lead a prosperous life if income would be distributed fairly. The growth rate is irrelevant for the quality of life of the people. It is only relevant because capitalism cannot function without growth. India needs growth, Africa needs growth, Europe does not. Feeding the growth engine of capitalism in the rich countries is feeding the engine which is making the planet uninhabitable for humans. Hans G Ehrbar _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
