Will mankind survive the next billion years? It is of course impossible to give any definite answer to this question. However, it may be possible to discern which of our present policies will increase, or decrease, the likelihood of that eventuality. This can be done not with any precision, to...

There is world-wide convergence in life expectancy, despite little convergence in GDP per capita. If one values longer life much more than material happiness, the world living standards may this have already converged substantially. This paper introduces the concept of the dynastic general...