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Population growth seems to be a topic of much debate and uncertainty. Everyone seems to have an opinion and generally, one’s opinion either falls on the optimistic or the pessimistic side. In the articles by Sommers/Suits, “A Cross Section Model of Economic Growth” (1971), and Ahlburg, “Julian Simon and the Population Growth Debate” (1998), one can see just that.
Through much mathematical and graphical exploration, Sommers and Suits found that wealthy nations invest more money and have slower population growth rates than poor countries. They deduced that the economic growth rates of a country are positively influenced by the amount of total output invested and negatively by population growth (Sommers and Gupta (?), p. 4). In simple, non-mathematical terms, this means that they see population growth as being a bad thing. They are pessimists.
In the article by Ahlburg, one is presented with a different point of view. Throughout the article he presents Julian Simon’s outlook towards population growth, which is definitely optimistic. Ahlburg does not just present a rosy scenario; he presents Simon’s arguments as well as the people who oppose him. In doing this, one is presented with both sides of the argument.
Simon basically does not see population growth as a problem in the long run. When asked about environmental problems, Simon argues that humans will be given signs in advance and thus can adapt before anything terrible occurs (Ahlburg 1998, p. 321). When asked about food production, he believes that recent trends show food production as being no problem (Ahlburg 1998, p. 323). Basically, Simon sees humans as being the ultimate resource. With more humans, there will be more minds to generate more ideas, which will ultimately make us better off and richer (Ahlburg 1998, p. 321).
Once Ahlburg presents Simon’s argument, he concludes with his own remarks. He believes that population growth is needed for better economic growth, health, food availability, housing, poverty, the environment, and maybe education (Ahlburg 1998, p. 324). But, he does give Simon credit for arguing that population growth in the long run is useful and that there is value to human life (Ahlburg 1998, p. 324).
After reading these articles, it becomes apparent that the population debate still wages on and may never be solved. It is not just a mere argument about numbers and facts; it involves many different cultures and beliefs. In order for everyone to agree, a lot would have to be compromised.