Johannes Schiller

Homo oeconomicus and homo politicus in Ecological Economics

Abstract The model of homo oeconomicus has been criticised in Ecological Economics. We discuss this critique and alternative approaches that have been developed in the literature. In contrast to these approaches, which are based on Arrows concept of the Social Welfare Function, psychology, biology, and general considerations, we propose a concept of homo politicus that is founded in political philosophy. We show that this concept is suitable for normative purposes of Ecological Economics. At the same time, we demonstrate in a case study that the concept has empirical relevance in explaining real political processes.

The concept of joint production and ecological economics

Joint production is suggested as one of the conceptual foundations of ecological economics. The notion of joint production springs immediately from the application of thermodynamics, and has a long history in economic analysis. Considerations of joint production give rise to philosophical concerns relating to responsibility and knowledge. The concept of joint production is easily comprehensible, and is also constitutive and supportive of a range of concepts current in ecological economic thought.

Joint Production and Responsibility in Ecological Economics

This groundbreaking book takes a fresh look at how environmental problems emerge from economic activity and how they may be addressed in a responsible and sustainable manner. At its centre is the concept of joint production. This captures the phenomenon whereby several effects necessarily emerge from one activity and whereby human action always entails unintended consequences. This, according to the authors, is the structural cause behind modern-day environmental problems.

Kann die Wasserwirtschaft die „wichtigen Wasserbewirtschaftungsfragen“ lösen?

Zur Vorbereitung des zweiten Bewirtschaftungszyklus der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie müssen die Mitgliedstaaten 2013 die „Wichtigen Wasserbewirtschaftungsfragen“ der Ö entlichkeit vorlegen. Eine Auswertung der entsprechenden Angaben aus dem ersten Zyklus identi ziert die intersektorale Koordinierung als zentrale Herausforderung bei der Erreichung der Richtlinienziele und entwickelt eine Methodik zur Ableitung der wichtigen Wasserbewirtschaftungsfragen, die diese Herausforderung berücksichtigt.