Title: An overview of green economics

Authors: Richard Lawson

Addresses: The Old School House, Station Road, Congresbury, North Somerset, BS49 5DX, UK

Abstract: This paper reviews the foundational axioms, principles, aims and instruments of the system of Green Economics. It ties economics to its ecological foundations, delineates a simple structure for the economy, investigates the relationship between resources, work, wealth and money. Equity is discussed in all its relationships, and capitalism and divergence between the fortunes of rich and poor are considered. Green economics is a new discipline, and this is therefore an important moment in which to try to find an orientation and to try to produce a sketch map of the field. This paper is an attempt to provide a provisional plan. Its aim is to place the various elements of green economics into relationship with each other rather than to provide a detailed exposition or argument for each point.

Keywords: green economics; ecology; axioms; structure; externalities; resources; equity; guided markets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2006.009335

International Journal of Green Economics, 2006 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.23 - 36

Published online: 22 Mar 2006 *

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