Growth and antigrowth: what are the issues?

Abstract

The debate on the growth-antigrowth theme has become a fashionable pastime over the last five years. And since its continued enjoyment must depend to a large extent on its inconclusiveness, it would be boorish as well as presumptuous to propose that we try to reach a settled conclusion. Not that I think there is much danger of that happening, however. The reverse is rather to be feared: that the present enjoyment in witnessing the continual conflicts of opinion will become marred by a growing sense of frustration—not so much a frustration at being unable to reach a firm conclusion as a frustration arising from repeated failure to organize our thoughts on the subject and to acquire perspective.