New foundations for ecological economics

Abstract

Ecological economics has been repeatedly described as transdisciplinary and open to
\nincluding everything from positivism to relativism. I argue for a revision and rejection of this
\nposition in favour of realism and reasoned critique. Looking into the ontological
\npresuppositions and considering an epistemology appropriate for ecological economics to
\nmeaningfully exist requires rejecting the form of methodological pluralism which has been
\nadvocated since the start of this journal. This means being clear about the differences in our
\nworldview (or paradigm) from others and being aware of the substantive failures of orthodox
\neconomics in addressing reality. This paper argues for a fundamental review of the basis
\nupon which ecological economics has been founded and in so doing seeks improved clarity as
\nto the competing and complementary epistemologies and methodologies. In part this requires
\nestablishing serious interdisciplinary research to replace superficial transdisciplinary rhetoric.
\nThe argument places the future of ecological economics firmly amongst heterodox economic
\nschools of thought and in ideological opposition to those supporting the existing institutional
\nstructures perpetuating a false reality of the world's social, environmental and economic
\nsystems and their operation.