Problem
Critically evaluate the two following contradictory statements:
• Economic growth results from technological change, which results from creative people responding to incentives. A larger population has more creative people, so it brings faster technological advance. So population growth brings faster growth of real GDP per person.
• Economic growth can be sustained only if we conserve natural resources. A larger population places strain on natural resources, so population growth brings slower growth of real GDP per person.
Which statement is "correct"? Why?