Because human history suggests the future will be much richer than the present, it makes no sense for the relatively impoverished present to transfer resources to the far wealthier future; sacrificing economic growth now also hurts the future because long-term growth produces citizens who live healthier, longer, and better lives.

normativepending

Speaker

Cass Sunstein

Evidence Quote

if human history is any guide the future will be much richer than the present and it makes no sense to say that the relatively impoverished present should transfer its resources to the far wealthier future and if the present generation sacrifices itself by forgoing economic growth it is likely to hurt the future too because long-term economic growth is ... likely to produce citizens who live healthier longer and better lives

Source

Cass Sunstein on Worst-case Scenarios 11/19/2007EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:17:23 AM

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