An assessment of ecological economics as a paradigm for development : utopian pipe-dream or confronting reality

Abstract

This thesis compares two world views represented on the one hand, by the modernization paradigm with its growth orthodoxy and on the other hand, by the ecological economics paradigm which advocates limits to growth. It argues that the growth model is undermining the regenerative and assimilative capacity of the ecosphere and that it is weakening global scale ecosystems such as global climate regulators, stratospheric ozone, biodiversity, biomass stabilisation, and healthy soil for agriculture. Furthermore, the growth model, particularly in its current neoliberal configuration, is incapable of alleviating poverty.

In laying out the thesis, three icons are used which conceptualize environment/economy relationships. These icons demonstrate how big an economy can be, how big it actually is, and how big it should be.

The thesis argues the ecological economics paradigm provides a more realistic and theoretically consistent approach to development. Ecological economics is a world view which recognizes limits to economic growth and which advocates ethical science and social justice. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)