Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution of land and water, land-use changes, lack of equality and other problems at local, national and global levels represent a challenge for economics as a social science. Mainstream neoclassical economics may be able to contribute to a more sustainable society but it has also played a dominant role in a period where problems have been aggravated. A pluralist and democratic view of economics is therefore very much warranted. This book presents a multidimensional and ideologically more open view of economics: understanding economics in multidimensional terms is in accordance with the 17 sustainable development goals recognized by nations at the UN-level in 2015. Accordingly, approaches to decision making and accounting at the national- and business levels have to be reconsidered. Neoclassical Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) with focus on the monetary dimension and an assumed consensus about a specific market ideology to be applied is not compatible with democratic societies where citizen and actors in other roles normally differ with respect to ideological orientation. Environmental Impact Statements and Multi-Criteria methods are used to some extent to broaden approaches to decision-making. In this book, Positional Analysis is advocated as a multidimensional and ideologically open approach. Positional Analysis is based on a political economic conceptual framework (as part of ecological economics) that differs from neoclassical ideas of individuals, firms and markets. And since approaches to decision-making and to accounting are closely connected, a new theoretical perspective in economics similarly raises issues of how national and business accounting can be opened up to meet present demands among various actors in society. This perspective raises also numerous ethical questions at the science and policy interface that need to be properly addressed for sustainability decision making.

Sustainable development or "sustainability" is a relatively new challenge for societies from the local to the global level. At issue is whether mainstream neoclassical economics can guide us towards sustainability or if there is a need for new thinking in economics. This book by Peter Soderbaum, author of "Ecological Economics," is a critical examination of the failings of mainstream economics and the resultant environmental problems we are facing. Most importantly, it articulates what an economics for sustainability, as an alternative to mainstream economics, would look like in both theory and practice if we are to pursue a truly sustainable future. A main point raised is that fundamental issues such as the theory of science and role of science in society, paradigms in economics, ideological orientations and institutional arrangements need to be critically examined rather than assumed to be given in any serious attempt to come to grips with unsustainable trends. Among its features, the book provides a brief history of economics and looks at the intersection between politics and the often hidden values embedded in economics. Also covered are the roles of individuals and organizations, political structures and institutions and democracy, environmental decision-making, sustainability assessment and a vision of a future underpinned by sustainability economics. The theory is underpinned by case studies, explanatory figures, further reading sections and discussion questions to facilitate debate and learning.The result is a highly readable text that presents a serious critique of the mainstream economics threatening the planet.

Sustainable development or "sustainability" is a relatively new challenge for societies from the local to the global level. At issue is whether mainstream neoclassical economics can guide us towards sustainability or if there is a need for new thinking in economics. This book by Peter Soderbaum, author of "Ecological Economics," is a critical examination of the failings of mainstream economics and the resultant environmental problems we are facing. Most importantly, it articulates what an economics for sustainability, as an alternative to mainstream economics, would look like in both theory and practice if we are to pursue a truly sustainable future. A main point raised is that fundamental issues such as the theory of science and role of science in society, paradigms in economics, ideological orientations and institutional arrangements need to be critically examined rather than assumed to be given in any serious attempt to come to grips with unsustainable trends. Among its features, the book provides a brief history of economics and looks at the intersection between politics and the often hidden values embedded in economics. Also covered are the roles of individuals and organizations, political structures and institutions and democracy, environmental decision-making, sustainability assessment and a vision of a future underpinned by sustainability economics. The theory is underpinned by case studies, explanatory figures, further reading sections and discussion questions to facilitate debate and learning.The result is a highly readable text that presents a serious critique of the mainstream economics threatening the planet.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution of land and water, land-use changes, lack of equality and other problems at local, national and global levels represent a challenge for economics as a social science. Mainstream neoclassical economics may be able to contribute to a more sustainable society but it has also played a dominant role in a period where problems have been aggravated. A pluralist and democratic view of economics is therefore very much warranted. This book presents a multidimensional and ideologically more open view of economics: understanding economics in multidimensional terms is in accordance with the 17 sustainable development goals recognized by nations at the UN-level in 2015. Accordingly, approaches to decision making and accounting at the national- and business levels have to be reconsidered. Neoclassical Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) with focus on the monetary dimension and an assumed consensus about a specific market ideology to be applied is not compatible with democratic societies where citizen and actors in other roles normally differ with respect to ideological orientation. Environmental Impact Statements and Multi-Criteria methods are used to some extent to broaden approaches to decision-making. In this book, Positional Analysis is advocated as a multidimensional and ideologically open approach. Positional Analysis is based on a political economic conceptual framework (as part of ecological economics) that differs from neoclassical ideas of individuals, firms and markets. And since approaches to decision-making and to accounting are closely connected, a new theoretical perspective in economics similarly raises issues of how national and business accounting can be opened up to meet present demands among various actors in society. This perspective raises also numerous ethical questions at the science and policy interface that need to be properly addressed for sustainability decision making.

Ecological economics is a hot topic today as an alternative to 'neo-classical' environmental economics. It seeks to 'socially construct' a political economics that will deal with environmental problems and make the individual more visible in economic analysis. A leading authority in the field describes the principles, strategies and instruments of social change from the point of view of key players -- governmental agencies, business corporations, environmental and religious organizations and universities -- and underlines their responsibilities in the market economy.This critical text in the search for an interdisciplinary economics that facilitates social and environmental development offers a pluralistic and democratic approach to addressing environmental problems and balances the priorities of economic growth and international competitiveness with environmental sustainability. It emphasizes the need to articulate ideologies, worldviews, ethics and related scientific perspectives as part of economics. This illuminating account of the theories and means that will bring us closer to a sustainable society considers tools such as environmental impact assessment (EIA) and describes success indicators such as environmental labeling and environmental management systems (EMS). It highlights strategies and policies that facilitate social change and sets out future agendas for the individual actors in political economics.