>> We have to break with the deeply held belief that growth is somehow >> going to save us, that growth will benefit us.
Julio Huato wrote: > Knowing what we know of Dean Baker, he mustn't be referring to growth > of stuff (cum garbage). He must be referring to growth of social > well-being. Growth of social well-being is the solution. I don't know about Dean, but there's a big problem with the discussion of "economic growth" (not on pen-l as much as in general). First, the orthodox economist equates "economic growth" with (inflation-corrected) real GDP growth per capita. This is either an error or a matter of definition. Then, a dissenter criticizes this and rejects "economic growth." But as Julio points out, economic growth does not have to be the same as (inflation-corrected) real GDP growth per capita. It can be measured by something like the Genuine Progress Indicator instead. We don't have to accept then orthodox definition of economic growth. In the end, I think we should see "true" economic growth as being the growth of technical and scientific knowledge, which allows us to produce more with our labor. That doesn't mean that this force will always be used for good; it can be used for evil. (we could build a Death Star.) It also doesn't mean that we should forget other dimensions of human life besides economics. -- Jim Devine / "Nobody told me there'd be days like these / Strange days indeed -- most peculiar, mama." -- JL. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
