Population Growth: A Pure Welfarist Approach

Renström, T.; Spataro, L.

doi:10.1111/jpet.12337

Population Growth: A Pure Welfarist Approach

Renström, T.; Spataro, L.

Authors

Dr Thomas Renstrom t.i.renstrom@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

L. Spataro

Abstract

In this study we propose a framework based on welfarist principles to deal with several issues concerned with population economics models, such as the Repugnant Conclusion, both in absolute and relative sense, the shape of childbearing costs and population dynamics, under both normative and positive perspectives. We show that the relative critical level criterion can avoid both the assumption of high childbearing costs and the absolute repugnant conclusion (ARC) but cannot avoid the relative repugnant conclusion (RRC). Moreover, optimal fertility is increased by technological shocks and displays cycles. Both ARC and RRC can be avoided by extending the model to a decentralized economy with consumption externalities; in the latter model, a technological shock reduces long‐run fertility and can generate cycles along the transitional path.

Citation

Renström, T., & Spataro, L. (2019). Population Growth: A Pure Welfarist Approach. Journal of Public Economic Theory, 21(1), 135-166. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpet.12337

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Sep 9, 2018
Online Publication Date	Oct 26, 2018
Publication Date	Feb 28, 2019
Deposit Date	Sep 20, 2018
Publicly Available Date	Oct 26, 2020
Journal	Journal of Public Economic Theory
Print ISSN	1097-3923
Electronic ISSN	1467-9779
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	21
Issue	1
Pages	135-166
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/jpet.12337
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1348658

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Renström, T. & Spataro, L. (2019). Population Growth: A Pure Welfarist Approach. Journal of Public Economic Theory 21(1): 135-166 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jpet.12337. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.