Dear Candidate - What Will You Do if Growth Is Over...?

[4dsc]

To me, one of the most surreal phenomena one encounters these days is that no country, no established economic research institute (that I'm aware of), and no international organization (such as the IMF) publicly discusses scenarios that don't plan for a return to stable economic (GDP) growth. Even Greece's government, after 2012, expects growth, which would allow the country to slowly reduce its monster debt load. Similarly, the U.S. government forecasts annual average (real) growth rates of 4.4% for the years 2012-2014, and 2.4% thereafter until 2020. This theme is globally ubiquitous. (ADDENDUM: Today Lloyds of London said global institutions are underestimating impacts of peak oil).

http://campfire.theoildrum.com/node/6713#more

A little food for thought here. Have we run the course on consumerism?

[DCBob]

1. Two billion growing consumers in China and India say no..

However, Im not sure the planet can handle it.

[customerserviceguy]

2. The alternative to growth

whether sustainable or not, is inflation. Inflation always makes the debts of the past much more affordable, if you still have a job and an income.

[DailyGrind51]

3. As a former cancer patient, the term "growth" has a very negative connotation.