Feb 18 • 18:07 UTC 🇸🇰 Slovakia Denník N

How Ivan Mikloš Reads It: Why Growth Is Important and Why We Have a Problem

The article discusses the importance of economic growth for higher living standards and social peace, while also addressing the skepticism surrounding its necessity due to ecological sustainability concerns.

The article outlines the critical role of economic growth in improving living standards, individual satisfaction, and social harmony. It emphasizes that without economic growth, the risk of conflicts increases, making it a crucial component for societal stability. Despite arguments against the need for growth, especially in the context of ecological sustainability, the author argues that economic growth remains indispensable for advancing overall happiness in society.

Delving into the historical context, the article references the 'Easterlin paradox,' proposed in the 1970s and 1980s, which suggested that income increases within a country do not necessarily lead to more significant increases in overall happiness. This notion was a pivotal point for skeptics of economic growth, particularly in discussions surrounding environmental sustainability. However, recent studies, including one by Daniel W. Sachs in 2010, challenge this paradox, revealing that subjective well-being often grows alongside material living standards at both individual and national levels.

The article concludes with significant findings that counter the Easterlin paradox: wealthier individuals report higher satisfaction than their poorer counterparts, and overall improvements in national income correlate with increased happiness across populations. This suggests that economic growth is not only fundamental for financial stability but also vital for the general welfare and contentment of society.

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