There’s a heated discussion going on right now about whether the economy needs to grow in the traditional context (as Tim Geitner argued on Meet the Press a few weeks ago), or whether a zero growth economy and through what means is desirable and achievable to ensure a healthier environment. The means could potentially include mass wealth distribution, investing and improving existing infrastructure and/or moving away from fossil fuels. I think modern American consumption and capitalism will be the likely path of the developing world, but yields diminishing returns for the developed world especially the U.S. and especially given increased economic disparity between the rich and poor. My colleague Gus Speth has written extensively on this issue.

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