It used to be economic heresy – but there's a rising wave of opinion that growth is really not sustainable

In orthodox economics, growth is good. At Davos this year, 35 sessions dealt with how to encourage more of it. "Relentless focus on growth," said David Cameron in 2010, "is what you will get from this government." The more money spent, the more money made – goes the argument – and the more money that can be spent again. By contrast, if people stop spending, firms stop making money, and their employees start losing their jobs. In short, growth defines progress.

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