Consumption and Welfare: Two Views of Value Added

摘要: Any discovery which renders consumption less necessary to the pursuit of living is as much an economic gain a improves our skills production. (Kenneth Boulding) I. INTRODUCTION The total resource (throughput), by subsystem lives off containing ecosystem, limited - because ecosystem that both supplies throughput and absorbs its wastes products itself limited. earth-ecosystem finite, non-growing, materially closed, while open flow solar energy, also nongrowing. Historically these limits were not generally binding, was small relative system. world "empty." But now it "full," are more binding necessarily like brick walls, but stretched rubber bands. product population times per capita consumption. Many people have for long time urged wisdom limiting growth few recognized need limit growth. In face so poverty in seems "immoral" some even talk about populations cars, buildings, TVs, refrigerators, livestock, yes, trees, fish, wolves, giant pandas, all common with human bodies they take up space require their production, maintenance, disposal. Nevertheless, think solution lies increasing commodities whose services we consume. "demographic transition" will automatically stop if only grows fast enough. Arguing one term growing other faster, very reasurring two terms Will average Indian's rise Swede before Indian fertility falls Swedish level? Can eroding crowded country India support many power plants, etc.? Never fear, same who brought you demographic transition bringing Information Reformation, a.k.a. "dematerialized economy." McDonald's introduce "info-burger," consisting thick patty information between slices silicon, thin communion wafers emphasize symbolic spiritual nature We can dematerialize beings breeding smaller after half size there could be twice us indeed would subsist on dematerialized GNP! it, expands germ truth into whale fantasy. While countries must worry consumption, evident South needs focus population, North This fact likely play major role North/South treaties discussions. Why should control resources saved thereby merely gobbled Northern overconsumption? overconsumption allow larger number poor at level misery? Without minute minimizing necessity control, nevertheless incumbent get serious control. Toward this end, reconsideration meaning offered below. II. CONSUMPTION AND VALUE ADDED When speak what being consumed? Alfred Marshall reminded laws conservation matter/energy consequent impossibility consuming material building blocks commodities. …