Evaluation of two trends in environmental economics: the neoclassical school and the economics of survival

Vol. 18 No. 2 (1998)

Apr-Jun / 1998
Published April 1, 1998
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))

How to Cite

Mueller, Charles C. 1998. “Evaluation of Two Trends in Environmental Economics: The Neoclassical School and the Economics of Survival”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 18 (2):278-303. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-31571998-1265.

Evaluation of two trends in environmental economics: the neoclassical school and the economics of survival

Charles C. Mueller
Professor Titular, Departamento de Economia, Universidade de Brasília – UnB, Brasilia/DF, Brasil. Membro do Instituto Sociedade, População e Natureza (ISPN). Trabalho desenvolvido com o apoio de bolsa do CNPq.
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 18 No. 2 (1998), Apr-Jun / 1998, Pages 278-303

Abstract

It is possible to evaluate the main schools of thought in environmental economics
based on a stylized view of sustainable development. This view considers that is sustainable
the development that assures: at least the maintenance of the level of well-being of the current
generation of inhabitants of the first world; an increase in the well-being of the present
generation inhabiting the poor countries; and, the ability of the future generations to maintain
or improve their well-being. ln principle, a school of thought in environmental economics should
consider these three aspects; however, some emphasize one, others stress another of these aspects.
Based on a framework founded on the above concept of sustainable development, the paper
presents an evaluation of two of these schools of thought: neoclassical environmental economics, emphasizing the short term and industrialized market economies; and a school which could be
termed the economy of survival, emphasizing the very long term. It begins with a discussion of
the recent insertion of the environmental dimension in economics, follows with a review of the
concept of sustainable development, which is adapted for the evaluation. It concludes with a
discussion of the main contribution of the two schools, and of the main contrasts between them.

JEL Classification: B29; B21; B59; Q50.


Keywords: Ecological economics sustainable development history of economic thought