The end of economic growth? A contracting threshold hypothesis
This paper argues that GDP growth in both developed and developing countries has associated costs that can outweigh the benefits and thus reduce sustainable well-being. This conclusion is based upon the findings of empirical applications of the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) to a range of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The studies conducted on seven Asia-Pacific countries indicate that, in the case of five of the seven nations, more recent GDP growth has reduced the sustainable well-being experienced by the average citizen residing within them. Moreover, the threshold point at which the costs of GDP growth outweigh the benefits appears to be contracting (i.e., occurring at a much lower per capita level of GDP). This paper therefore introduces a new contracting threshold hypothesis: as the economies of the Asia-Pacific region and the world collectively expand in a globalised economic environment, there is a contraction over time in the threshold level of per capita GDP. As a consequence, the threshold point confronting growth late-comers (i.e., developing countries) occurs at a much lower level of sustainable welfare than what wealthy nations currently enjoy. The consequences of this for developing countries are clearly significant and require a new approach to economic development.
Year of publication: |
2010
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Authors: | Lawn, Philip ; Clarke, Matthew |
Published in: |
Ecological Economics. - Elsevier, ISSN 0921-8009. - Vol. 69.2010, 11, p. 2213-2223
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Publisher: |
Elsevier |
Keywords: | GPI Economic growth Threshold hypothesis Asia-Pacific region |
Saved in:
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