 Introduction to Rethinking Ecological EconomicsArild Vatn Chapter 1 in Rethinking Ecological Economics, 2026, pp 1-16 from Edward Elgar Publishing Abstract: While ecological economics has inspired decades of important research, it is very heterogeneous. The philosophical and theoretical basis underpinning the engagement is rather incoherent. This regards not least the understanding of the economic process and human action as it spans perspectives from, for example, neoclassical to institutionally oriented positions. This limits its development. The aim of the book is to help develop ecological economics into a coherent position, becoming a strong platform for the creation of a sustainable future. The chapter clarifies the main elements in that respect. It is argued that ecological economics should acknowledge that economics is about social provisioning to meet human needs. It should formulate a clear value basis that is aligned with sustainability. It would gain from drawing on critical realism when defining its philosophical basis. It contends that institutional theory of human action is a very promising basis for ecological economics, and it should expand its focus to include the political processes defining arenas for economic decision-making. These aspects are further developed throughout the book. Keywords: Ecological economics as a discipline; Human provisioning; Critical realism; Stratified world; Institutional theory; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:21493_1 Ordering information: This item can be ordered from Access Statistics for this chapter More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing |
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