History of the Future of Economic Growth

The future of economic growth is one of the decisive questions of the 21st century. However, so far the current debates questioning the viability of perpetual growth lack a thorough historical perspective. This volume addresses the origins and evolution of the growth paradigm, explores transportation, health, resource consumption and material flows as case studies of the complex repercussions of growth, and examines sustainable development, sustainable growth, buen vivir and degrowth as examples of alternative developmental models. The book provides the necessary historical depth to the ongoing discussion on suitable principles of present and future global development.