ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some dimensions of the human environment and their contribution to the growth controversy. It examines some evolving economic contradictions that have direct bearing on the contention that the United States will face a no-growth or slow-growth future. Limits-to-growth advocates often ignore the political aspects of the environmental and economic reality. They slide over the inevitable conflicts of interest among social groups that will mark the way toward reduced economic expansion. The idea of political limits is a credible addition to the host of other challenges to growth. The squandering of the resource of legitimacy is a separate guarantee that major social and political changes are in the offing. The notion of political limits will be tested under fire as our institutions and processes are asked to deal with the problems of resource scarcity, pollution, the loss of social cohesion, and contradictions in our political economy.
