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  3. In most people’s mind, growth is associated with prosperity. We judge how well the economy is doing by the size of the Gross Nat

In most people’s mind, growth is associated with prosperity. We judge how well the economy is doing by the size of the Gross Nat

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问题     In most people’s mind, growth is associated with prosperity. We judge how well the economy is doing by the size of the Gross National Product(GNP), a measure, supposedly, of growth. Equally axiomatic, however, is the notion that increased pressure on dwindling natural resources must inevitably lead to a decline in prosperity, especially when accompanied by a growth in population. So, which is correct?
    What growth advocates mean, primarily, when they say growth is necessary for prosperity is that growth is necessary for the smooth functioning of the economic system. In one arena the argument in favor of growth is particularly compelling and that is with regard to the Third World. To argue against growth, other than population growth, in light of Third World poverty and degradation seems callous. But is it? Could it be that growth, especially the growth of the wealthier countries, has contributed to the impoverishment, not the advancement, of Third World countries? If not, how do we account for the desperate straits these countries find themselves in today after a century of dedication to growth?
    To see how this might be the case we must look at the impact of growth on Third World countries— the reality, not the abstract stages-of-economic-growth theory advocated through rose-colored glasses by academicians of the developed world. What good is growth to the people of the Third World if it means the conversion of peasant farms into mechanized agri-businesses producing commodities not for local consumption but for export, if it means the stripping of their land of its mineral and other natural treasures to the benefit of foreign investors and a handful of their local collaborators, if it means the assumption of a crushing foreign indebtedness, the proceeds of which goes not into the development of the country but into the purchase of expensive cars and the buying of luxurious residence in Miami?
    Admittedly, this is an oversimplification. But the point, I believe, remains valid; that growth in underdeveloped countries cannot simply be judged in the abstract; it must be judged based on the true nature of growth in these societies, on who benefits and who is harmed, on where growth is leading these people and where it has left them. When considered in this way, it just might be that in the present context growth is more detrimental to the well-being of the wretched of the earth than beneficial.
    So, do we need growth for prosperity? Only the adoption of zero growth can provide the answer. But that is a test not easily undertaken. Modern economies are incredibly complex phenomena, a tribute to man’s ability to organize and a challenge to his ability to understand. Anything that affects their functioning, such as a policy of zero growth, should not be proposed without a wan’ prudence and a self-doubting humility. But if the prospect of leaping into the economic unknown is fear-inspiring, equally so is the prospect of letting that fear prevent us from acting when the failure to act could mean untold misery for future generations and perhaps environmental catastrophes which threaten our very existence.
The author seems to believe that prosperity______.
选项 A、can be achieved without economic growth
B、can only be achieved with economic growth
C、is a tribute to man’s ability and creativity
D、is fragile in face of environmental catastrophes
答案A
解析 主题题。这实际上是本文旨在说明的主题：零增长与繁荣的关系，这就是作为总结的最后一段旨在说明的问题。本段首先是一个设问，接着回答了这个问题。换言之，零增长也可以保持社会经济的繁荣。作者接着指出，这(指零增长能否使经济保持繁荣)是一个不容易做的试验。人的组织能力和战胜挑战的能力已经使现代经济变得极其复杂，所以，如果要提出任何改变其运行方式的方案——例如零增长政策，都要特别谨慎小心。但是，如果进入经济的未知领域(指零增长状态)令人感到恐惧的话，那么，同样可怕的是让这种恐惧心理阻止我们有所行动。而没有行动可能意味
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