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Didem Tali is an award-winning journalist covering international development, gender, displacement and environment issues for English-language media around the world.
'Endless economic growth' isn't technically possible and plenty of studies point to the fact that GDP doesn't bring happiness.
In this article, academic Adam Barrett argues that post-growth economy could actually be more stable and even lead to higher wages. He modelled a mathematical macro-economical system that aligns with his point.
The model included a banking sector that charges businesses interest on loans. That way, it could address the concern that this key feature of capitalism might in itself create a need for growth. The model also included a basic labour market, with dynamic wages. The analysis was based on a “complex systems dynamics” approach.
His conclusion is that although it wouldn't be possible without significant reforms, the move to a stable post-growth economy – without dismantling our entire banking system, and while maintaining a positive interest rate on loans – is entirely possible. It would also boost equality and happiness.