1. Introduction

Since the industrial revolution, human society has been changing from a traditionally agricultural based civilization to a modern industrial one. Some European countries and America have almost completed this process of industrialization and have become fully developed industrialized societies. During the period of development, these economies have achieved rapid economic growth and their living standards have been increased significantly. Since then, and especially since World War II, developing countries have viewed developed countries as a template by which to implement their industrial development policies. Therefore, industrialization and economic growth have become the recurrent theme for development throughout the world. However, at the same time, an excessive expansion of the population, environmental pollution, ecological destruction and other issues have become increasingly prominent throughout the world. These issues are threatening the future of our human society. We should re-examine the current economic and social development model and explore a more sustainable path to development.