Title: Determining the economic-environment relation: a regulationist approach

Authors: Lynne Chester

Addresses: The John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia

Abstract: Regulation theory offers a cogent analytical framework to explain the contemporary environmental challenge, capitalism|s responses to environmental issues and the challenge of sustainable development to accumulation. The paper outlines the insights provided by this analytical framework and seeks to develop a regulationist approach to the ecological by building on two contributions directed at overcoming the past regulationist |environment-deficit-syndrome|. It is contended that the economic-environment relation is not a social relation peculiar to capitalism but is given definition and form by the mode of regulation which secures accumulation. A method for empirical investigation of the economic-environment relation is proposed and it is concluded that the prospects for sustainable development are constrained to that which do not challenge accumulation. Thus, regulationist analysis can provide a more realistic picture of capitalism|s challenges to be overcome to achieve the more equitable solutions sought by Green Economics to climate change, poverty and biodiversity.

Keywords: capitalism; economic-environment relationship; neoclassical economics; regulation theory; sustainability; sustainable development; environmental issues; green economics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2010.032599

International Journal of Green Economics, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.17 - 42

Published online: 08 Apr 2010 *

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