Towards Sustainability Economics: Principles and Values |
| |
Authors: | Peter Söderbaum |
| |
Institution: | 1.School of Business,M?lardalen University,V?ster?s,Sweden |
| |
Abstract: | Synopsis Radical alternatives, in terms of our ideas about science in society, about economics, ideology and institutional arrangements,
should be included among possibilities considered within the scope of a pluralistic philosophy. While all these aspects of
our mental maps are interrelated and important, economics plays a key role in attempts to get closer to a sustainable society.
Mainstream neoclassical economics is not enough. The tendency to exclusively rely on this particular theory is considered
part of the problems faced. A ‘sustainability economics’ more in line with dominant ideas of democracy is proposed, emphasizing
the ethical, ideological and political elements. Reference is made to institutional theory but the principles and concepts
suggested are in many ways similar to other kinds of heterodox economics and developments in other social sciences. Neoclassical
economics is used as a point of reference in pointing to alternative ideas about human beings, organizations, markets, decision-
making, efficiency, rationality, progress in society and institutional change processes. Predilection for such an alternative
conceptual framework (or for neoclassical economics) is not exclusively a scientific choice but as much a matter of political
and ideological preferences. One paradigm may be dominant at a time, but because of the ideological specificity of each paradigm,
competing theoretical perspectives should be accepted and even encouraged in a democratic society.
|
| |
Keywords: | theory of science neoclassical economics institutional economics Political Economic Person ideological orientation Political Economic Organization democracy actor dialogue |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|