Abstract
Meade (1955) devoted a chapter of his Trade and Welfare volume to optimum population and optimum saving. In this discussion he finds reasons for abandoning individual welfare as a criterion for optimum population in favour of the use of total utility. His objection to individual, or as he calls it “per caput” utility is worth quoting in full.
I am indebted to Brian Ferguson and Neil Vousden for discussions on this topic.
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References
Dasgupta, P. S. (1969) On the Concept of Optimum Population. Review of Economic Studies
Meade, J. M. The Theory of Economic Policy. Volume II, Trade and Welfare, Oxford University Press, London, Chapter 4, and Mathematical Supplement, Chapter 1
Pitchford, J. D. (1974) Population in Economic Growth, North Holland, Amsterdam, Chapter 5
Pitchford, J. D. (1985) External Effects of Population Growth, Oxford Economic Papers
Rawls, J. (1972) A Theory of Justice, Oxford University Press, London
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© 1989 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Pitchford, J.D. (1989). Economic Interdependence and Optimum Population: An Examination of Meade’s Objection to the Individual Utility Criterion. In: Zimmermann, K.F. (eds) Economic Theory of Optimal Population. Microeconomic Studies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-50043-5_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-50043-5_10
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