Only pluralism in economics research and education is compatible with a democratic society

Peter Soderbaum

International Journal of Green Economics, 2008, vol. 2, issue 1, 45-64

Abstract: Do we need a Green economics different from mainstream neoclassical economics? The position taken here is that exclusive reliance on neoclassical economics (with its extension to environmental economics) will not be enough in guiding us towards a sustainable society. Neoclassical economics is specific not only in scientific but also in ideological terms and the combined conceptual and ideological message of neoclassical economics is part of the problems faced rather than any solution. Neoclassical economics has to compete with other theoretical and ideological perspectives. In this article an attempt is made to systematically compare elements of neoclassical economics, such as assumptions about the Economic Man, profit-maximising firms and markets, in terms of supply and demand with alternative conceptual and ideological/ethical premises, thus suggesting one possible version of a Green economics.

Keywords: green economics; pluralism; political economic person; PEP; political economic organisations; PEO; ideological orientation; democracy; sustainable society. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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