Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy

Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy PDF Author: Christopher Nobbs
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136255923
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
How should we conduct economics in an era of climate change, natural resource depletion and population increase? These issues are systemic, and involve great uncertainties and long time horizons. This book contends that the free-market economics that has dominated capitalist democracies in recent decades is not up to the task; that the welfarist economics that preceded it, while preferable, also has inadequacies; and that what is required is an economics founded on ecological principles, greater respect for the laws of natural science, and a moral commitment to a sustainable future. The book commences with an exposition of major aspects of orthodox macroeconomic and microeconomic theory. It then explores the bounds of orthodox theory in relation to ethics, liberalism, ideology, society, the international economy, globalization, and the environment, and seeks lessons for a future economics. Issues raised by natural resource use and climate change are given particular prominence. Many of the issues of critical importance in coming decades involve not private goods but public goods: goods which markets are ill-equipped to deal with. In the resolution of these issues political processes will need to be engaged. The availability to each individual of clean air, clean water and adequate sustenance, goods which cannot be provided for by economic production alone, are of central concern. While acknowledging the importance of market processes, the author argues in favour of a more deliberative and democratic economy, the greater engagement of civil society, environmental human rights and responsibilities, and in favour of a World Environment Organization, change in the conduct of the World Trade Organization, and for economists to accept moral responsibility for the policies they advocate. Specific case studies are given and potential policies outlined. This book will be of interest not only to economists but also to citizens generally and students concerned with public affairs.

Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy

Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy PDF Author: Christopher Nobbs
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136255923
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

Get Book Here

Book Description
How should we conduct economics in an era of climate change, natural resource depletion and population increase? These issues are systemic, and involve great uncertainties and long time horizons. This book contends that the free-market economics that has dominated capitalist democracies in recent decades is not up to the task; that the welfarist economics that preceded it, while preferable, also has inadequacies; and that what is required is an economics founded on ecological principles, greater respect for the laws of natural science, and a moral commitment to a sustainable future. The book commences with an exposition of major aspects of orthodox macroeconomic and microeconomic theory. It then explores the bounds of orthodox theory in relation to ethics, liberalism, ideology, society, the international economy, globalization, and the environment, and seeks lessons for a future economics. Issues raised by natural resource use and climate change are given particular prominence. Many of the issues of critical importance in coming decades involve not private goods but public goods: goods which markets are ill-equipped to deal with. In the resolution of these issues political processes will need to be engaged. The availability to each individual of clean air, clean water and adequate sustenance, goods which cannot be provided for by economic production alone, are of central concern. While acknowledging the importance of market processes, the author argues in favour of a more deliberative and democratic economy, the greater engagement of civil society, environmental human rights and responsibilities, and in favour of a World Environment Organization, change in the conduct of the World Trade Organization, and for economists to accept moral responsibility for the policies they advocate. Specific case studies are given and potential policies outlined. This book will be of interest not only to economists but also to citizens generally and students concerned with public affairs.

Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy

Economics, Sustainability, and Democracy PDF Author: Christopher L. Nobbs
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0415524407
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
This text argues that the major economic problems of the present century involve issues of public goods and common pool resources with which orthodox economic theory, based as it is on private markets, is ill-equipped to deal.

Sustainable Democracy

Sustainable Democracy PDF Author: Adam Przeworski
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521483759
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
The joint report of twenty-one social scientists who collaborated over two years under the name of the Group on East-South Systems Transformations (ESST) identifies the principal political and economic choices confronting new democracies in Southern and Eastern Europe and South America.

Democracy and the Next American Economy

Democracy and the Next American Economy PDF Author: Henry A. J. Ramos
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781558858763
Category : Democracy
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Progressive intellectual Henry A. J. Ramos believes the United States is at a crossroads, facing the most challenging moment since the civil rights movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. In fact, absent major new interventions and investments, he sees this moment as a pivotal turning point in the American journey in which political polarization, income and wealth disparity and public violence"€"much of which is race related"€"threaten the very essence and integrity of our democracy and economy. Ramos examines the policies that have contributed to America's decline, including those that have led to the concentration of great wealth in the hands of a few while condemning many to systemic poverty and inequality. Current economic and social trends, he stresses, are unsustainable and call for organized, concerted action by people of conscience and those affected. Ultimately, Ramos provides a roadmap for the future so the United States can continue to provide opportunities for its people and serve again as a leader in the international community. He offers case studies of organizations that have successfully created and administered programs that further equity in society, restore democratic practices, implement better urban and city planning and protect the environment. Demonstrating both the critical importance and real possibility of leveraging prosperity and justice for all Americans, this compelling work is a must-read for anyone interested in democracy, economic restoration and environmental sustainability.

Law and Policy for a New Economy

Law and Policy for a New Economy PDF Author: Melissa K. Scanlan
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1786434520
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
This book makes the case for a New Environmentalism, and using a systems change approach, takes the reader through ideas for reorienting the economy. It addresses the laws and policies needed to support the emergence of a new economy across a variety of major areas – from energy to food, across common pool resources, and shifting investments to capitalize locally-connected and mission-driven businesses. The authors take the approach that the challenges are much broader than setting parameters around pollution, and go to the heart of the dominant global political economy. It explores the values needed to transform our current economic system into a new economy supportive of ecological integrity, social justice, and vibrant democracy.

The Local Politics of Global Sustainability

The Local Politics of Global Sustainability PDF Author: Thomas Prugh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
The most difficult questions of sustainability are not about technology; they are about values. Answers to such questions cannot be found by asking the "experts," but can only be resolved in the political arena. In The Local Politics of Global Sustainability, author Thomas Prugh, with Robert Costanza and Herman Daly, two ofthe leading thinkers in the field of ecological economics, explore the kind of politics that can help enable us to achieve a sustainable world of our choice, rather than one imposed by external forces. The authors begin by considering the biophysical and economic dimensions of the environmental crisis, and tracing the crisis in political discourse and our public lives to its roots. They then offer an in-depth examination of the elements of a re-energized political system that could lead to the development of more sustainable communities. Based on a type of self-governance that political scientist Benjamin Barber calls "strong democracy," the politics is one of engagement rather than consignment, empowering citizens by directly involving them in community decisionmaking. After describing how it should work, the authors provide examples of communities that are experimenting with various features of strong democratic systems. The Local Politics of Global Sustainability explains in engaging, accessible prose the crucial biophysical, economic, and social issues involved with achieving sustainability. It offers a readable exploration of the political implications of ecological economics and will be an essential work for anyone involved in that field, as well as for students and scholars in environmental politics and policy, and anyone concerned with the theory and practical applications of the concept of sustainable development.

Sustainability, Local Democracy and the Future: The Swedish Model

Sustainability, Local Democracy and the Future: The Swedish Model PDF Author: U. Svedin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940100496X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 235

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Book Description
This book deals with the challenges posed by the transformation of society towards much-needed sustainability. Especially, it deals with the local features of this change, but seen in a global context. The two cases examined - the municipalities of Linköping and Åtvidaberg - are Swedish, but the problems of how to relate locally to a globalized world are common today. The cases have been deliberately chosen to expose alternative types of choices for the local communities involved. Large Linköping is, historically, a nodal city of importance in the national grid of regional centres, one that relates to the nation state and represents officialdom. Small Åtvidaberg developed in the context of its forest region setting and metallurgy, and today operates directly to wider markets, while still emphasising its very local identity. The fact that these municipalities border each other provides a similar regional context, and differences between them may then not be entirely confused by a debate on drastically different geographical settings.

Towards A New Social Order? Real Democracy, Sustainability & Peace

Towards A New Social Order? Real Democracy, Sustainability & Peace PDF Author: Patrick Holz
Publisher: Vernon Press
ISBN: 1622734203
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
This contribution argues that a long-established social order has been in place since the first stratified societies in the Near Middle East which unavoidably comes with substantial economic, political and environmental repercussions. Part I of the book dissects the various facets of this order, which is termed the social dominance paradigm, while in Part II a fundamentally different order, the peace paradigm, is introduced. The latter rests on real democracy (in the Athenian sense), sustainability and peace. As such, both paradigms function as vehicles for further analysis and research while the peace paradigm also provides a rough plan for the implementation of transformational change. Typically, political, economic, social, and environmental research seeks to increase specialized knowledge. Here, however, the overall intent is to utilize interdisciplinary evidence and connect the dots between a number defining features within seemingly modern societies. The argument is that these are, in fact, not modern at all but follow an ancient template of power, control, and coordination concentrated in the hands of the few. Potentially, this contribution can function as a trans-disciplinary methodological framework as well as an information hub for researchers in the fields of political and social sciences, history, anthropology, evolutionary biology, organization and peace studies. Practitioners who are interested in fundamental social change may also find the issues raised to be of interest. As such, this book provides a generalist, evidence-based discussion of a multi-disciplinary nature that may pique the interest of both experts and amateurs alike.

The Other Road to Serfdom & the Path to Sustainable Democracy

The Other Road to Serfdom & the Path to Sustainable Democracy PDF Author: Eric Zencey
Publisher: UPNE
ISBN: 161168367X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 334

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Book Description
Eric Zencey's frontal assault on the "infinite planet" foundations of neoconservative political thought

The Politics of Money

The Politics of Money PDF Author: Frances Hutchinson
Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
Leading writer Boris Kagarlitsky offers an ambitious account of 1000 years of Russian history.