Citation

Discussion Paper Details

Please find the details for DP35 in an easy to copy and paste format below:

Full Details   |   Bibliographic Reference

Full Details

Title: The Ethical Foundations of Population Policies

Author(s): Partha Dasgupta

Publication Date: November 1984

Keyword(s): Population, Resources, Social Discount Rates and Welfare

Programme Area(s): Applied Macroeconomics

Abstract: This essay attempts to use the pure theory of welfare economics to address the ethical issues that underlie the choice of future population size. The essay begins with a summary of welfare economic theory as it pertains to situations where population size is not subject to choice, and notes that a symmetry (or anonymity) axiom on social welfare functions has almost invariably been invoked in the theory. It then summarizes optimum population theory and emphasizes that the existing theory extends the symmetry axiom to include the well-being of potential persons. It is argued that in an Actual Problem the symmetry axiom is questionable when future population is subject to choice. The essay concludes with an analysis of the implications of a denial of the symmetry axiom.

For full details and related downloads, please visit: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=35

Bibliographic Reference

Dasgupta, P. 1984. 'The Ethical Foundations of Population Policies'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=35