Readings

Reading list, pdf

Chapter 1, Human takeover

For this chapter I suggest some interesting background reading. On the big picture of the Human takeover, Yuval Hoah Harari's Sapiens is fascinating. For background and links to source material on Malthus, see Malthus wiki. Tim Jackson, in Prosperity without growth, is a big-picture discussion of growth in modern economies, and its links not only to natural resources and environmental quality, but also to human preferences and well-being.

Chapter 2, Malthusian growth

In the book chapter I present an extremely simple `unified growth model' which can explain the acceleration in technological progress with population, and how technological progress simultaneously allows (but does not guarantee) population growth. For the reference work on these models see Galor (2005). I go on to add an ecological dimension, based on the work of Bulte et al (2006). A much more famous, but in my view less interesting, paper is Brander and Taylor (1998).

Chapter 3, Industrial growth

A&H chapter 1 gives an overview of the Solow model. For more on Solow see Robert Solow wiki and links therein. A&H chapters 2-4 give an introduction to endogenous growth theory. The key original articles in endogenous growth theory are Romer (1990) and Aghion and Howitt (1992). These are not required reading. However, I strongly recommend that you read Romer (1994), a highly enlightening review of growth theory and the research process in general. Paul Romer's wikipedia page is also worth a look.

Chapter 4, The DHSS model

For the original papers of the DHSS model see Dasgupta and Heal (1974) Solow 1974 (Equity, Resources), and Stiglitz (1974). However, these are not a particularly easy read! See also the original Hotelling paper: Hotelling, 1931. For a survey of (older) theory and evidence on Hotelling and resource prices see Krautkraemer 98. And for a critique of the idea that resource prices are dominated by scarcity rent, see Hart and Spiro. For a (not entirely successful) attempt to link DHSS to modern growth theory see Groth (2006). And for critical discussions (very relevant for thinking about gobbets among other things) see Daly, GR vs SS, and Sagoff, CC and EE. For the state-of-the-art in extending the DHSS to account for the actual nature of resource stocks and the extraction process see Hart (2016). But the math is tough! Finally, for a 'doomsday' analysis see 'The Limits to Growth', and for Solow's riposte (inconsistent with the DHSS model!) see Solow (1973), Is the end of the World at hand?

Chapter 5, DTC and resource efficiency

For models of DTC and resource efficiency see A&H ch. 16, and Smulders and de Nooij (2003). For a critique of assumptions typically made in these models see Hart (2013).

Chapter 6, Structural change

For a much-cited discussion of rebound see Binswanger (2001). For evidence about increases in energy efficiency and structural change see Fouquet, and Pearson (2006) and Knittel (2011). For a very recent analysis, including empirical evidence and a theoretical model, see Hart (2018).

Chapter 7, Substitution between resource inputs

For a much cited but misleading model, see Acemoglu et al (2012). A very tough read, but look at pp.1--4. For a critique and an alternative see Hart (JAERE 2019). Also a tough read after the introduction! For a very broad discussion see Goeller and Weinberg (1978).

Chapter 8, Pollution

For the seminal paper on the EKC (focusing on the empirics) see Grossman and Krueger (1995). Selden et al. (1999) is another important empirical paper. For the most important theory paper see Stokey (1998). For another tough read see Hart (2020), Growth, pollution, policy!

Remaining chapters

See for instance Rockström et al on planetary boundaries, and Tim Jackson's Prosperity without growth. For 'conspicuous consumption' externalities see, for instance, Aronsson and Johansson-Stenman (2008).