Understanding the difference between real growth and quasi-growth is essential for any society that hopes to thrive.  Confusing the two leads to stagnation or even the de-civilization of entire societies.  When those in power speak of “progress” or “improvement,” it rarely benefits the masses.  At best, it serves their own interests.  Often, what they promise is simply a lie, a tactic to gain popular support for poorly conceived ideas.  What they push isn’t real growth, but an imitation: quasi-growth.

Real growth happens when individuals create value by providing goods and services that others need or desire.  This voluntary exchange in a free market allows resources to be efficiently allocated, fostering productivity and innovation.  When a business opens, hires employees, and produces something of value, that is true growth.  It’s organic, sustainable, and driven by the actual needs of society.

Quasi-growth, however, is nothing more than a trick.  It occurs when the state claims to “create” jobs or economic activity.  The problem is, the state doesn’t create anything of real value.  What it does is shift resources from one area to another, while destroying value in the process.  For every job the government “creates,” an unseen job is lost elsewhere.  The state’s inefficiency means it usually destroys far more value than it creates, resulting in a net loss for society.

The unseen costs are often ignored.  While people may see the jobs that the state claims to have created, they don’t see the opportunities lost elsewhere.  The reality is, the state can’t create a single job on its own—it can only redistribute resources, causing more harm than good.

Economic laws are universal and can’t be bypassed, no matter how hard elites try to manipulate them.  These laws govern the natural order of markets, whether it’s the production of a cup of coffee or the harvesting of beans in a distant field.  Ignoring these principles only leads to disaster, as the consequences of defying economic reality will inevitably come crashing down.

The elites often promise growth at a certain rate, but this is impossible.  Any short-term growth they manage to manufacture is fueled by credit expansion, which only lays the groundwork for the next economic bust.  The business cycle is inevitable.  The boom driven by credit will always be followed by a bust, and the longer they try to delay it, the worse the crash will be.

True growth is not guaranteed, and it requires an understanding of and adherence to economic laws.  Any scheme that claims to bypass these laws is destined to fail.  The elites may push these plans to win popularity and power, but what they offer is not real progress—it’s merely quasi-growth, an illusion that cannot last.  Only by respecting the natural principles of free markets can a society hope to achieve sustainable, lasting growth.