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Beyond growth: against the misplaced focus on economic growth

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  • Neumayer, Eric

Abstract

This paper aspires to argue in favour of a simple, but fundamental, hypothesis. This hypothesis is that economic growth is neither the cause of nor the solution to environmental problems and that therefore both anti-growth environmentalists and pro-growth neoclassical environmental economists share a misplaced focus on economic growth. Economic growth is not the issue, environmental problems are. Environmental problems can be solved no matter whether or not economic growth takes place and environmental problems can be solved without any significant detrimental effect on economic growth. On the other hand, economic growth in itself will not solve any environmental problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Neumayer, Eric, 2000. "Beyond growth: against the misplaced focus on economic growth," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 30738, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:30738
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/30738/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Beckerman, Wilfred, 1992. "Economic growth and the environment: Whose growth? whose environment?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 481-496, April.
    2. Barro, Robert J, 1996. "Democracy and Growth," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-27, March.
    3. Ayres, Robert U., 1998. "Eco-thermodynamics: economics and the second law," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 189-209, August.
    4. Eric Neumayer, 2013. "Weak versus Strong Sustainability," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14993.
    5. Ayres, Robert U., 1998. "The price-value paradox," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 17-19, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kemi Yekini & Han Li & Paschal Ohalehi & Aruoriwo M. Chijoke-Mgbame, 2019. "CSR disclosure and corporate sustainability: evidence from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange," International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 13(3), pages 300-322.

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    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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