Las economías que no crecen son aplastadas
A diferencia de la mayoría de los economistas, yo no considero del todo descabelladas las ideas del decrecimiento. La crítica que formulan—que la obsesión moderna con el crecimiento económico ha causado daños profundos al medio ambiente, ha erosionado formas de vida tradicionales y ha reducido la diversidad cultural del mundo—es, en muchos sentidos, correcta. Más aún, estoy convencido de que el crecimiento económico casi siempre trae costos; costos que, además, se distribuyen de manera desigual. Por eso se me dificulta hablar del crecimiento como algo puramente positivo y no como un proceso cargado de dilemas morales.
TL;DR
- The competitive nature of humans and predatory interests are persistent.
- The critique of economic growth causing environmental damage and eroding traditional life is valid.
- Degrowth is a poor public policy recommendation for both poor and rich countries.
- Economic stagnation can lead to military conquest by wealthier societies.
- Historical examples include the Roman Empire's fall to Germanic tribes and Qing China's subordination to Europe.
- Europe's slow economic growth is reflected in its declining international influence and growing concerns about external military threats.
- Military strength depends on the absolute size of an economy and its ability to produce resources, not per capita income.
- Losing a war results in subjugation, expropriation, and humiliation, not celebration of past living standards.
- Rich societies must continue to grow to preserve their lifestyles due to the dangers of the external world.
- Societies that do not prepare to face competitive and predatory interests risk being overtaken.