Tuesday, January 03, 2006

AEI-Brookings: The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth


When: Monday, January 9th, 2006
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Where: Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI, Washington, D.C. 20036


Is economic growth bad for our “moral character”? Harvard economics professor Benjamin Friedman argues precisely the opposite in his new book, The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth. Economic growth typically brings “greater opportunity, tolerance of diversity, social mobility, commitment to fairness and dedication to democracy.” When living standards plateau or decline, societies make little progress toward these goals and often regress. In this Joint Center event, Professor Friedman will address the positive connections between growth and morality and recommend policies that could enhance the moral benefits created by rising standards of living.

See Agenda.