thesis

6. Restrictions and implications As elaborated in the previous section, contrary to the second idea of the stationary state paradigm, the existence of growth is normatively relevant and a stationary state is not desirable in principle. However, this does not necessarily mean that, maximising economic growth is always desirable without restrictions. In the following, possible limitations and objections to the….

5.   The normative value of perpetual growth According to Brian Kogelmann, normative arguments in favour of economic growth can generally be divided into two categories: wealth-sensitive and wealth-insensitive arguments, or wealth-dependent and wealth-independent arguments (cf. Kogelmann 2022, p. 478). Wealth-sensitive arguments imply that growth is only necessary to achieve a normatively desirable level of prosperity, which is why: “If a….

4. The limits of growth The aim of this thesis is primarily to elaborate on the normative meaning of growth and thus above all to criticise the second idea of the stationary state paradigm, i.e. the idea that growth is normatively irrelevant or undesirable. However, the first idea of the paradigm must also be addressed at this point – at….

3. The stationary state paradigm Over the past two centuries, humanity has experienced unprecedented, exponential economic growth. Global GDP per capita rose from $1,102 to $15,212 between 1800 and 2018 (Maddison Project Database 2020). The positive effects of the prosperity achieved through this growth – such as the increase in life expectancy, the reduction in poverty and infant mortality –….