Ecology

The vital connection between economics and a healthy ecosystem is still not understood by mainstream economists and financial theorists – what will it take?

Responding to the third edition of the GEJ, ‘Beyond Growth/Degrowth’, this piece looks at the ecological movement’s relationship with modernity and science, and considers what implications this debate has for the Swedish Greens.

The world view of GroenLinks is founded on three deeply-held convictions: Green, leftist and progressive. These ideals are still alive but each of them in turn points to the need for a sharper critique of capitalism and the neoliberal culture.

Tim Jackson’s ‘Prosperity Without Growth’ has been credited with reviving the debate over the merits of economic growth. This review describes it as a book that challenges orthodox economic thinking and which presents a path to a sustainable future.

The ongoing climate, resource and financial crises underscore the failure of a prosperity model based on growth and dependency on consumption.

The debate of growth versus degrowth misses a crucial point: while there are limits to further growth, we can find ways to move these limits.

Today, democracy is too often based on short-term interests. Policies are therefore designed for that purpose – pre-election budgets for example – and the long term interests of the planet are given less priority.

Along with the single currency, the creation of the single market has been considered the EU’s greatest success.