Abstract
The term smart growth is associated with the necessary paths to achieve a sustainable course of economic development. Though being a modern term, it crystallises the tradition of the classical political economy regarding the role of technical change, population control and sustainability. John Stuart Mill is the classical economist who provided the theoretical framework of the term. By stressing the role of knowledge and environmental protection, core tenets of smart growth, he illustrates the macro (long-run) perspective of economic development. His notion of the ‘Stationary State’ includes these elements which are driving smart growth. By showing the differences into the mechanics of knowledge J.S. Mill shows that the historical distinction between ‘West and East’ countries is seated on the uneven diffusion of knowledge among people.
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Notes
The word metakenosis (english translation. ‘Diffusion’) appears within the context of the New Testament and is used here to describe the generalised distribution of knowledge among people.
Thanks to an anonymous reviewer for bringing this into my attention.
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Manioudis, M. An Early Anticipation of Smart Growth? John Stuart Mill, Knowledge and the ‘East-West’ Distinction. J Knowl Econ 13, 2164–2176 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-021-00809-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-021-00809-7