Sir, – Many thanks to Paul Gillespie (World View, August 24th) for his timely review of the growth obsession associated with the current economic orthodoxy.
He describes the logical proposition and analysis put forward by Tim Jackson in his book Prosperity without Growth and begs the question why most mainstream economists never seem to broach this alternative view.
It seems that like the protagonists in the The Emperor's New Clothes, they have become blinded to an obvious truth because current orthodoxy demands upward growth as a sign of success and suggestions on sustainability are signs of weakness among peers. Economics should be applied in a scientific manner to construct a system which provides the strongest long-term sustainability, instead a specific economic philosophy which is short-sighted, growth-obsessed and ultimately inequitable has been implemented globally. More open debate on this matter is welcome in light of current challenges on resources, climate change and poverty. – Yours, etc,
BARRY WALSH,
Linden Avenue,
Blackrock, Cork.