2024
Volume 24, Number 3/4, pp. 133-138
Going for growth
J.J. Ramsden
The University of Buckingham, MK18 1EG, UK
Economic growth is analysed. It is shown that where fuel is needed, what growth can achieve is necessarily limited by a (finite) fuel supply, and this limitation appears to disable humanity from ever obtaining the level of a Type II civilization, capable of harnessing the entire energy of its star. On the other hand, certain kinds of growth, such as the growth of knowledge, do not need an exhaustible fuel and can, therefore, grow exponentially to an unlimited extent. If that knowledge enables the greatly enhanced exploitation of “renewable” resources, then there might be a chance to progress, and the ability to harness the energy of entire stars, as envisaged by Kardashev, vastly enhances the possibilities of economic growth and, hence, the possibility of progression to Type III.
Keywords: civilization, economic growth, freedom, innovation, research, return on investment, technology