Revue des sciences politiques et des affaires publiques
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Markets in the Light of Political-Economic Actors and Democracy Reconsidering Conceptual Framework for Sustainability Politics

Peter Söderbaum

The conceptual framework of neoclassical economics has been quite stable over the years while present challenges point in the direction of a need for new thinking and a new conceptual framework. Neoclassical economics is more or less blind to equality issues and not enough to deal constructively with present unsustainable trends. I will suggest important elements of such a new conceptual framework as part of a pluralistic understanding of economics.

When compared with neoclassical economics, the political dimension is emphasized thus making democracy a fundamental principle for relationships in markets and in society at large. A political economics is suggested where individuals are understood as political economic persons and organizations as political economic organizations. This leads to a different understanding of markets from that of neoclassical supply and demand. The ethics and responsibilities of market actors in a democratic society is considered relevant and something to be investigated for purposes of sustainability politics. Approaches to decision-making are also discussed. Emphasis on democracy suggests a different approach from that of neoclassical Cost-Benefit analysis (CBA).