Title: Green economics and political ecology: the case of pensions and older people

Authors: Brian Heatley

Addresses: Lorton Barn, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5QH, UK

Abstract: This paper discusses the proper scope of green economics using the current position of older people in the UK as an example. It begins within conventional economics, where the main debate about older people is a financial phenomenon, the so-called pensions crisis. It then considers that debate from a green and progressive perspective, emphasising the real as well as the financial issues, including the political and institutional factors that condition the present system. Finally, it argues that to get a proper appreciation of the actual lives of older people, we also have to extend the scope of the discussion to include factors arising from human reproduction as well as production – in other words, the proper scope of the enquiry is political ecology.

Keywords: green economics; pensions; political economy; political ecology; material life; production forces; production relations; reproduction forces; reproduction relations; older people; UK; United Kingdom.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2008.017155

International Journal of Green Economics, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.95 - 107

Published online: 16 Feb 2008 *

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