Homo Oeconomicus and Homo Politicus in Ecological Economics

Part of : Αρχείον οικονομικής ιστορίας ; Vol.XIV, No.1, 2002, pages 229-246

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229-246
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The model of homo oeconomicus has been criticised in Ecological Economics. We discuss this critique and alternative approaches which have been developed in the literature. As an alternative to these approaches, which are based on Arrow’s concept of the Social Welfare Function, Psychology, biology and general considerations, we proposed a concept of homo politicus which 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.
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