Environmental activists, politicians and celebrities have touted the wisdom of "sustainable development" as though its meaning and value were clear. But the concept has barely been defined, let alone subjected to scientific, economic, and philosophical scrutiny.
Oxford University economist Wilfred Beckerman puts "sustainable development" to the test, questioning several of its core claims: Will economic growth burn itself out by depleting the natural resources it requires? Will global warming wreak widespread havoc? Does human activity threaten to throw a delicate planet dangerously "out of balance"? Do future generations possess rights that morally override the claims of those alive today? At what price?
After examining the evidence, Beckerman finds "sustainable development" lacking on both scientific and moral grounds. Although millions of people lack clean air and water, and are plagued by deteriorating ecosystems, these problems are caused not by "unsustainable development" but by poverty, poorly defined property rights, and lack of freedom of opportunity. And, Beckerman concludes, because "sustainable development" recommends policies that would worsen these conditions (for present and future generations), it hardly occupies the moral high ground, as its supporters claim.
A Poverty of Reason provides a critical examination of this highly controversial topic and will prove essential in the ongoing debate about environmental and economic practices.
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Information
Subtopic
Government & BusinessIndex
EconomicsTable of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 - What is Sustainable Development Supposed to Mean?
- Chapter 2 - Finite Resources and the Prospects for Economic Growth
- Chapter 3 - Energy and Biodiversity
- Chapter 4 - Climate Change
- Chapter 5 - The Precautionary Principle
- Chapter 6 - Bureaucratic Regulation and Protectionism
- Chapter 7 - The “Ethics” of Sustainable Development
- Notes
- References
- Index
- About the Author
- Back Cover
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Yes, you can access A Poverty of Reason by Wilfred Beckerman in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Economics & Government & Business. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.