Environmental policy is often regarded as a technical issue where policy instruments at the national level are considered. Behind this perspective is mainstream neoclassical economics. But many unsustainable trends continue and it can be argued that neoclassical theory has failed. We need to test other ideas of economics and other perspectives more generally.
In this essay economics is defined in multidimensional and political terms where compatibility with democracy is a central concern. A conceptual framework that can be described as an actor approach in terms of political economic person and political economic organisation assumptions is proposed. It is assumed that each political economic person is guided by her ideological orientation. Getting closer to sustainable development is not only a technical matter but also one of articulating ideologies and ideological orientations that differ from the present mainstrem. Mainstream economics tends to justify the present political-economic system and make it legitimate in a situation where we need to also consider institutional change. For example: are profit-maximizing firms compatible with sustainable development and what kind of international trade theory will help us understand how trade can be related to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) recently sanctioned by the United Nations? How does the neoclassical idea about trade "protectionism" as always being bad relate to present aspirations to "protect the planet"?
Den aktuella tidskriften skiljer inte på "volume" och "number". All publicering hänförs till "issues" som presenteras i nummerordning.