Economics Quote by Wolfgang Sachs
““Kenneth Boulding’s bon mot, ‘To believe that the economy can grow forever in a finite world, you have to be a madman or an economist’.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Wolfgang Sachs, 2008
The quote critiques the idea of endless economic growth on a planet with limited resources, labeling such belief as irrational or overly optimistic.
In simple terms: Endless growth on a finite planet is unrealistic.
Question sustainability limits.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- business strategy
- personal consumption
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives to endless growth exist?
- How can we balance development with planetary boundaries?
Assumes all economists ignore limits.