Open AccessRethinking Everything: A sustainable economic system requires radical change in almost everything people consider normal
Author(s) -
Graeme P. Maxton
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the journal of population and sustainability
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2398-5496
pISSN - 2398-5488
DOI - 10.3197/jps.2018.3.1.35
Subject(s) - humanity , sustainable development , inequality , climate change , environmental ethics , economic stagnation , development economics , economics , political economy , economic system , political science , neoclassical economics , ecology , law , politics , philosophy , mathematical analysis , mathematics , biology
Economic growth is not a prerequisite for human development. While economic growth appeared useful following the Second World War, its continued pursuit will result in further environmental destruction and ever-widening inequality. It risks making climate change unstoppable, with dire consequences for humanity and most other species. It is not possible to make a gradual shift to a more sustainable system, as the basic requirements for an enduring economic system are fundamentally different from those that currently exist. To avoid an environmental catastrophe, societies need to deconstruct their economies and radically rethink their purpose.