--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No society can sustain unlimited growth…" description: "\"No society can sustain unlimited growth - none ever has. History demonstrates that expectations of infinite growth lead to collapse. Unfortunately, mil..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/arthur-demarest-40360_evidence_no-society-can-sustain-unlimited-growth_2198157.jpg" --- # No society can sustain unlimited growth - none ever has… ![“No society can sustain unlimited growth - none ever has. History demonstrates that expectations of infinite growth lead to collapse. Unfortunately, millennia of evidence also indicates that needed attempts to stabilize such societies run counter to the expectations of the populace and of interest…” quote by Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/arthur-demarest-40360_evidence_no-society-can-sustain-unlimited-growth_2198157.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/arthur-demarest-40360_evidence_no-society-can-sustain-unlimited-growth_2198157.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa0/arthur-demarest-40360_evidence_no-society-can-sustain-unlimited-growth_2198157.jpg) > “No society can sustain unlimited growth - none ever has. History demonstrates that expectations of infinite growth lead to collapse. Unfortunately, millennia of evidence also indicates that needed attempts to stabilize such societies run counter to the expectations of the populace and of interest groups. For that reason, such attempts at stabilization frequently fail.” [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unlimited growth is unsustainable; societies eventually collapse when they ignore ecological limits. **In simple terms:** Infinite growth leads to collapse. Key Takeaway Prioritize sustainable, balanced development. Themes environment economics society sustainability Mood concerned reflective Type analytical critical When to use this quote - urban planning - policy making - business strategy Key Concepts resource limits population dynamics economic cycles Questions to Reflect On - What policies can balance growth and limits? - How can societies shift public expectations? A Different Perspective Growth can be managed but may face political resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Infinite Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite-growth-673615/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest-groups/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Society Sustain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-sustain-4817464/) [Stabilize Societies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stabilize-societies-4817463/) [Unlimited Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlimited-growth-3639732/) ## Related quotes > [So now that the illusion of infinite growth is being exposed, the corresponding ballooning entitlements that enticed the larger public to become complicit in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hugh-smith/so-now-that-the-illusion-of-infinite-growth-is-being-exposed-the/) [Charles Hugh Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hugh-smith/) > [Infinite growth of material consumption in a finite world is an impossibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/infinite-growth-of-material-consumption-in-a-finite-world-is-an/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [“The idea of unlimited growth... needs to be seriously questioned on at least two counts: the availability of basic resources and... the capacity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-ellwood/the-idea-of-unlimited-growth-needs-to-be-seriously-questioned-on-at/) [Wayne Ellwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-ellwood/) > [Unlimited growth assumes unlimited resources, and this is the genesis of Ecocide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maude-barlow/unlimited-growth-assumes-unlimited-resources-and-this-is-the-genesis/) [Maude Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maude-barlow/) > [Deliver infinite growth having your customers talk about you, exclaim you and tell their friends and colleagues about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/deliver-infinite-growth-having-your-customers-talk-about-you-exclaim/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [“I'd rather identify with a past of infinite growth, than a past which hinders it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-d-rosado/i-d-rather-identify-with-a-past-of-infinite-growth-than-a-past-which/) [Michelle D. Rosado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-d-rosado/) > [“because infinite growth is impossible with finite resources. Any new corporate model needs to take that into account. Phillip Percival, consultant/director, IC Science”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/because-infinite-growth-is-impossible-with-finite-resources-any-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anyone who thinks that you can have infinite growth on a planet with finite resources is either a madman or an economist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-attenborough/anyone-who-thinks-that-you-can-have-infinite-growth-on-a-planet-with/) [David Attenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-attenborough/) > [Growth has failed on its own terms. You can't have infinite growth in a world of finite resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-simms/growth-has-failed-on-its-own-terms-you-can-t-have-infinite-growth-in/) [Andrew Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-simms/) > [I think that the best approach would be if the American people ever insist that we cut down on the massive amounts of money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-that-the-best-approach-would-be-if-the-american-people-ever/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Is Christianity just another special-interest group, clawing for political power? Or, even if Christians are acting as God's spokesmen, must Christians always conduct themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-north/is-christianity-just-another-special-interest-group-clawing-for/) [Gary North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-north/) > [That is why everyone in politics, and we do it, must make sure that they do not depend on one single interest group. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/that-is-why-everyone-in-politics-and-we-do-it-must-make-sure-that/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [When I took the oath of office, I pledged loyalty to only one special interest group - ‘We the people’.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/when-i-took-the-oath-of-office-i-pledged-loyalty-to-only-one-special/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We are living in a globalised world and most of us are worried stiff about powerful interest groups steadily pushing India towards obscurantist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sucheta-dalal/we-are-living-in-a-globalised-world-and-most-of-us-are-worried-stiff/) [Sucheta Dalal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sucheta-dalal/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) ## More by Arthur Demarest > [“When you examine societies just as self-confident as ours that unraveled and were eventually swallowed by the jungle...you see that the balance between ecology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/when-you-examine-societies-just-as-self-confident-as-ours-that/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [When there is pressure for leaders to respond to problems or crises, they often simply intensify their efforts in their particular defined sphere of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/when-there-is-pressure-for-leaders-to-respond-to-problems-or-crises/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [These strengths, and our civilization in general, have reached an apogee with the end of the apocalyptic threats of the Cold War and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/these-strengths-and-our-civilization-in-general-have-reached-an/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [One of our great strength, world capitalism, is the most successful economic system possible, but has also become one of shorter and shorter cycles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/one-of-our-great-strength-world-capitalism-is-the-most-successful/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [The key strengths of civilizations are also their central weaknesses. You can see that from the fact that the golden ages of civilizations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/the-key-strengths-of-civilizations-are-also-their-central-weaknesses/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > ["Hypercoherence" is one of the most dangerous threats to the long-term survival of our civilization. Hypercoherence is the close efficient linkage of all parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/hypercoherence-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-threats-to-the-long-term/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [The possible signs of a coming collapse are the same as the greatest strengths of Western civilization: democracy, capitalism, the generally peaceful linking of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/the-possible-signs-of-a-coming-collapse-are-the-same-as-the-greatest/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [On the future of the U.S., or of Western civilization in general, I tend to be quite pessimistic. I would say that today I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/on-the-future-of-the-u-s-or-of-western-civilization-in-general-i-tend/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [Leaders may recognize that they are not addressing the real problems, but they rationalize their actions with the argument that they must first politically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/leaders-may-recognize-that-they-are-not-addressing-the-real-problems/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) > [With apologies to the green movement, "sustainability" is a myth. History and archaeology show that societies are always moving to the edge of crisis,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-demarest/with-apologies-to-the-green-movement-sustainability-is-a-myth-history/) [Arthur Demarest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) [Explore all 11 Arthur Demarest quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-demarest/) ## More Evidence quotes > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [“What you owe your critics are your RESULTS not explanations not defence just RESULTS.Evidence terminates Arguments.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fela-durotoye/what-you-owe-your-critics-are-your-results-not-explanations-not/) [Fela Durotoye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fela-durotoye/) > [“Dogmatism compensates for evidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-wallace/dogmatism-compensates-for-evidence/) [Dana Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-wallace/) > [“Cops aren't really your friends, they are trying to be your friends but they are not… - They are searching evidence to PIN YOU.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/cops-aren-t-really-your-friends-they-are-trying-to-be-your-friends/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [There's overwhelming evidence... circumstantial and otherwise, to suggest a connection between Iraq and al Qaeda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/there-s-overwhelming-evidence-circumstantial-and-otherwise-to-suggest/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Human unhappiness is evidence of our immortality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/human-unhappiness-is-evidence-of-our-immortality/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [The state is in danger of falling into disrepute due to the evidence of its inadequate resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-habermas/the-state-is-in-danger-of-falling-into-disrepute-due-to-the-evidence/) [Jurgen Habermas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-habermas/) > [You are innocent until proven guilty. And if folks have come forward, whether it is judge Roy Moore or whether it is anyone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rosendale/you-are-innocent-until-proven-guilty-and-if-folks-have-come-forward/) [Matt Rosendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rosendale/) > [There is still zero empirical evidence that anthropogenic production of CO2 is making any measurable contribution to the world's present warming trend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-cockburn/there-is-still-zero-empirical-evidence-that-anthropogenic-production/) [Alexander Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-cockburn/) > [“‎If you regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free yourself, you sell yourself into the chains of your whims. For you cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/if-you-regard-evidence-as-a-constraint-and-seek-to-free-yourself-you/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [ We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. \[This is\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shapiro/we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theory-has-been-accepted-as-fact/) [Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shapiro/) [Browse all 3,643 Evidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No society can sustain unlimited growth - none ever has. History demonstrates that expectations of infinite growth lead to collapse. 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