Science as Civil Society: Implications for a Green Transition

Timothy Besley and Torsten Persson

No 16840, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: When scientists care about how they deploy their skills, this influences the relative cost of innovating in green sectors. We study the effects of motivated science in a simple model, where innovation is directed towards green or brown sectors with the latter polluting the environment. Innovation thus determines the relative growth rate for green goods. When we combine the resulting innovation dynamics with cultural dynamics among consumers, the influence of science is extended further. It can now increase the speed of convergence to a green future and may even change the direction of a society's path. Key activities that are (partly) value driven may thus be an important aspect of market economies.

Keywords: Civil society; Motivated agents; Green innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 L23 O31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-12
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