For almost 10,000 years of recorded history, most people had to eke out a living in pain and difficulty. But today, the deep poverty that was the global norm for most of human history is almost entirely foreign to citizens of the developed world. What caused this burst of prosperity? What has been its impact?

In "Economic Growth: Unleashing the Potential of Human Flourishing," Edd S. Noell, Stephen L. S. Smith, and Bruce G. Webb make a comprehensive case for economic growth, equipping readers with an understanding of not only its pragmatic benefits but also its moral dimensions. The authors offer empirical evidence from the past two centuries showing the relationship between growth and human well-being, greater global income equality, and environmental improvements and sustainability. They make the case that economic growth is key to lifting societies from dire poverty to prosperity and holds the promise of sustaining unreached levels of human flourishing.  "Economic Growth" is a primer in the Values & Capitalism series intended for college students.

Economic growth was the key that transformed societies from dire poverty to prosperity and well-being. It has brought billions of people out of poverty, and holds the promise of sustaining even higher levels of human flourishing if it continues. "People who care about human well-being, and who care about the poor, should promote growth."Understanding growth, and answering the important questions posed above, is in part a matter of understanding the economics of growth. But because growth is foundational to material well-being, it is also fundamentally a moral issue. People who care about human well-being, and who care about the poor, should promote growth. Devising policies to promote and sustain growth, in rich and poor countries, is a moral imperative.

This book explores the basic economics of growth alongside of growth’s important moral implications. It aims to clarify the moral urgency of thinking clearly about growth. Because economic growth marks a boundary between wealth and human flourishing, on one side, and poverty and degradation, on the other, it is no exaggeration to say that fewer issues are more important.

Table of Contents: "Economic Growth: Unleashing the Potential for Human Flourishing"

Economic Growth: Unleashing the Potential for Human Flourishing - Chapter 1 by American Enterprise Institute