„Thus, the issue today is not whether to grow or not to grow. Growth is necessary. The debate should instead be focused on the kind of growth that we want. The Human Development Report 1996 has classified five types of growth with negative consequences which must be avoided. First, jobless growth, where the overall economy grows but does not expand the opportunities for employment, as experienced by several OECD countries in 1993. Second, ruthless growth, where the fruits of economic growth mostly benefit the rich, leaving millions mired in ever deepening poverty. Third, voiceless growth, which does not empower the people and which silences alternative voices. Fourth, rootless growth, which causes the people’s cultural identity to wither. And finally, futureless growth, where the present generation squanders the resources needed by future generations.” – Anwar Ibrahim „The Asian Renaissance” (Singapore – Kuala Lumpur. 1997, s. 81). Por. UNDP Human Development Report 1996, New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Human Development Report 1996. Economic Growth and Human Development:
„The 1996 Report opens with a fundamental statement: „Human development is the end – economic growth a means.” The Report argues that economic growth, if not properly managed, can be jobless, voiceless, ruthless, rootless and futureless, and thus detrimental to human development. The quality of growth is therefore as important as its quantity; for poverty reduction, human development and sustainability.”
„Policy-makers are often mesmerized by the quantity of growth. They need to be more concerned with its structure and quality. Unless governments take timely corrective action, economic growth can become lopsided and flawed. Determined efforts are needed to avoid growth that is jobless, ruthless, voiceless, rootless and futureless.”
„In sum: Development that perpetuates today’s inequalities is neither sustainable nor worth sustaining.”
„The real questions should thus be: Growth of what, and for whom? Growth of pollution that calls for more antipollution devices? Growth in crime that employs armies of lawyers? Growth in car crashes requiring more repair workers? Growth of incomes only for the richest? Growth of military weapons? This is not what most people want, yet all of these can result in a rise in GNP. Clearly, something is wrong with this form of measurement. Growth in national income is far too general and abstract a concept to be a sensible policy objective.”
