Growth is the magic word in the discussion about reforming societal processes. But what facets does this multifaceted term hold? Through which mechanisms can growth be generated? What is the relationship between growth and the desire to achieve economic development in harmony with nature? And last but not least: In which markets is growth still possible today? The winners of the German Study Award 2006 have approached these questions in unconventional ways and described solutions beyond the beaten paths of scientific and political discourse. The contributions take a critical look at economic growth theory and examine growth in relation to unemployment, demographics, the environment, welfare, and education – partly essayistic and sketch-like, partly model-based.