Population growth and natural resource scarcity: Long-run development under seemingly unfavourable conditions
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Author
Date
2008-06Type
- Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The paper develops a model with non-exponential population growth, nonrenewable natural resources, and endogenous knowledge creation to analyse substitution between primary inputs and an essential use of resources in the innovation sectors, which is generally considered as most unfavourable for growth. We show that population growth and poor input substitution are not detrimental but even needed to obtain sustainable consumption. A permanent increase in living standards can be achieved under free market conditions. With a backstop technology, the system converges to a balanced growth path with classical properties. Show more
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https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-005628760Publication status
publishedJournal / series
Economics Working Paper SeriesVolume
Publisher
ETH Zurich, Center of Economic Research (CER-ETH)Subject
Population growth; Non-renewable resources; Poor input substitution; Technical change; SustainabilityOrganisational unit
03635 - Bretschger, Lucas (emeritus) / Bretschger, Lucas (emeritus)
02045 - Dep. Geistes-, Sozial- u. Staatswiss. / Dep. of Humanities, Social and Pol.Sc.
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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