Economic Theory of Optimal Population (Microeconomic Studies) - Tapa blanda

We are used to calling most developing countries overpopulated and consi- dering some industrialized countries (like West Germany) "threatened by underpopulation". Analogous population policies with different objecti- ves are discussed. However, none of the measures suggested can be justi- fied or evaluated without an implicit concept of optimum population, a notion which has attracted attention ever since economics was made a science. The relevance of the subject and the recent rise in interest by popula- tion economists has motivated the organization of a conference on "Opti- mal Population" in Bielefeld, where most of this book originates. Finan- cial support for the conference and the publication of this book by the Thyssen Foundation and the editorial help provided by John De New and Contents Optimum Population: An Introduction K. F. Zimmermann ...I. Optimal Size and Growth Rate of Population Socially Optimal Population Size and Individual Choice M. Nerlove, A. Razin, and E. Sadka ...19 Endogenous Population With Discrete Family Size and a Capital Market D. Leonard ...

The notion of optimum population has attracted the attention of economists ever since economics was made a science. Roots can be traced back to ancient Greece. The topic has recently found rising interest among population economists and demographers. The economic concept of optimum population seeks to define the population size, which maximizes a welfare criterion of the society. The purpose of this book is to outline this concept from a micro and macro perspective and to link it with issues of technical progress, social security, limited resources and migration. It treats fertility endogenously and studies its welfare and policy implications. The emphasis is on a rigorous theoretical treatment of the subject using the modern growth and welfare theory as well as the new classical micro model of the family.