Abstract
Debates about the economic consequences of population growth and size have been too narrow, and they have been too focused on impacts that occur in the short run.1 Such tunnel vision and myopia have resulted in alarmist assessments. However, when the analysis of the economic impacts is broadened in scope and extended over time, not only are the conclusions altered, but the analysis becomes at once more complex and more reasonable. In short, the pitfalls of misjudging the economic consequences of population growth are attenuated when one gains perspective.
We are grateful for financial support from the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau and the National Institutes for Child Health and Development, and the editorial and manuscript-preparation assistance of Ms. Gail McKinnis.
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Kelley, A.C., Schmidt, R.M. (1996). Toward a Cure for the Myopia and Tunnel Vision of the Population Debate: A Dose of Historical Perspective. In: Ahlburg, D.A., Kelley, A.C., Mason, K.O. (eds) The Impact of Population Growth on Well-being in Developing Countries. Population Economics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03239-8_2
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