I. Ehrlich et F. Lui, THE PROBLEM OF POPULATION AND GROWTH - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE FROM MALTHUS TO CONTEMPORARY MODELS OF ENDOGENOUS POPULATION AND ENDOGENOUS GROWTH, Journal of economic dynamics & control, 21(1), 1997, pp. 205-242
This paper deals with the evolution of the literature on the problem o
f population and growth from the classical period to the recent litera
ture on endogenous growth and development. The 'problem' concerns two
distinct issues: 1. how to explain the observed covariation of the lev
els and rates of growth of per capita income and population size over
time and space, and 2. how to improve the human condition represented
by these variables through an accommodating social policy. The evoluti
on of the literature we survey is reflected by the progressive treatme
nt of key variables as endogenous, rather than exogenous to the growth
process. It is also reflected by a shift from the historical concern
about population explosion, and its implications for growth, to the mo
re recent concern about the association between growth and population
implosion in many developed countries.