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Scientifically Unacceptable Established Knowledge in Demography and in Economic Research

Journal of Economics Library

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Title Scientifically Unacceptable Established Knowledge in Demography and in Economic Research
 
Creator NIELSEN, Ron W.; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Qld,
 
Subject Economic growth; Population growth; Gross Domestic Product; Hyperbolic growth; Malthusian stagnation; Malthusian trap; Malthusian positive checks; Malthusian oscillations; Fertility rate; Mortality rate; Famines; Pestilence; Wars.
A10; A12; A23; B22; B41; C12; Y80.
 
Description Abstract.The established knowledge in demography and in the economic research is based on the concept of Malthusian stagnation and on the associated concept of the escape from the Malthusian trap. These two fundamental concepts were gradually enforced by numerous other related postulates all aimed at explaining the mechanism of the historical growth of population and of the historical economic growth. Examples of publications based on the established knowledge are closely examined. They are used to show why the established knowledge is scientifically unacceptable. It is also pointed out that the established knowledge is contradicted by data and by their analyses. Interpretations of the historical economic growth and of the historical growth of population has to be based on accepting hyperbolic growth. However, the discussed examples point to a more serious problem in these two fields of research. It is a fundamental systemic problem, the problem associated with the way research is conducted. Doctrines, interpretations and declarations used by the established knowledge have to be accepted by faith. Data are either ignored or manipulated to support preconceived ideas. Contradicting evidence is methodically ignored.  To be recognised as science, demographic and economic research has to adhere to the scientific rules of investigation.Keywords. Economic growth, Population growth, Gross Domestic Product, Hyperbolic growth, Malthusian stagnation, Malthusian trap, Malthusian positive checks, Malthusian oscillations, Fertility rate, Mortality rate, Famines, Pestilence, WarsJEL. A10, A12, A23, B22, B41, C12, Y80.
 
Publisher Journal of Economics Library
 
Contributor —
 
Date 2016-09-18
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://www.kspjournals.org/index.php/JEL/article/view/918
10.1453/jel.v3i3.918
 
Source Journal of Economics Library; Vol 3, No 3 (2016): September; 429-457
2149-2379
 
Language eng
 
Relation http://www.kspjournals.org/index.php/JEL/article/view/918/1000
 
Rights Copyright (c) 2016 Journal of Economics Library
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0