The Economic Madness of Malthusianism | Stephen Barrows | Ep. 37

The Economic Madness of Malthusianism | Stephen Barrows | Ep. 37

Author: HumanProgress.org February 16, 2023 Duration: 38:18

The economist Stephen Barrows joins Chelsea Follett to discuss the intellectual history of population economics, the benefits of population growth, and what we can expect from a future of falling fertility.  

Stephen Barrows, Chief Operating Officer, Acton Institute. 

Prior to his role at the Acton Institute, Dr. Barrows served as the Executive Vice President, Provost and Dean of Faculty of Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI) where he was also a tenured associate professor of economics. While at Aquinas, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in economics, and led a team of more than 85 full-time faculty, 150 part-time faculty, and 30 staff members serving more than 1,500 undergraduate and 150 graduate students. Dr. Barrows also served 21 years in the Air Force as an acquisition officer, an economics professor at the United States Air Force Academy and a faculty mentor at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan. He retired from the Air Force in 2013, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. A graduate with distinction of the Air Force Academy, Barrows has a bachelor of science degree in economics (1992), a master of arts degree in economics from Pennsylvania State University (1993), and a doctorate in economics from Auburn University (2002). He and his wife Kimberly (née Uddin) are the parents of three sons and two daughters. 

Learn more: https://www.acton.org/about/staff/stephen-p-barrows-phd 

Chelsea Follett is the managing editor of Human​Progress​.org, a project of the Cato Institute that seeks to educate the public on the global improvements in well‐​being by providing free empirical data on long‐​term developments. 

Learn more: https://www.cato.org/people/chelsea-follett


Marian L. Tupy and Chelsea Follett of HumanProgress.org host The Human Progress Podcast, a series dedicated to exploring the often overlooked but measurable advancements that have shaped our world. This podcast delves into the data and stories behind improvements in human well-being, from rising life expectancy and declining poverty to technological innovation and expanding freedoms. Each episode features conversations with researchers, authors, and thinkers who examine the forces driving this progress, while also addressing common misconceptions and concerns about the future. The discussions are grounded in evidence, offering a nuanced counterpoint to prevailing narratives of decline. Listeners will find a thoughtful analysis of long-term trends across science and society, providing a deeper understanding of how far we’ve come and the challenges that remain. It’s an invitation to consider a more optimistic, fact-based view of human history and our potential. Tune in for a regular dose of informed perspective that goes beyond the headlines.
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