Tahir writes:
>What sort of economic theory supports statements such
>as the following: "Our present views rarely include any
>awareness that wealth comes from nature and inheritance more
>than from any work we do."
I don't want to tread on Barry's response when it comes, but let me say that
I think this is a perfect way to get back to a discussion of the Crash. ( I
would not defend "inheritance" in this context, however.)
Let me ask a few questions, as open as I can make them. I am hoping these
don't seem "argumentative" or pejorative
1. I hope that we can all agree that /some/ wealth comes from nature. If so,
shouldn't an economic theory recognize natural wealth or ... value ? If so,
is that unacceptable to the "labor theory of value"? ... or should the labor
theory of value be adjusted to include nature? Can we assume any flexibility
in such an economic theory? If any theory (including capitalism) ignores
nature, is the theory relevant to mitigating the Crash?
2. Are economic theories to be seen as being immune from the non-economic
rules and forces of the biosphere? (example: I am not sure that global
population increase can fit wholly into economic theories in any way that is
applicable to reality.) ... or are economic theories in some way larger and
more powerful than nature? If so ... how?
3. I don't know how to ask the third set of questions except by a personal
statement: As many on the list have observed, I have some trouble (!)
reconciling a Marxist viewpoint with my own "neo-malthusian" green Doomer
viewpoint, basically because I accept a different set of fundamental
assumptions. I'm still searching for common ground, and building bridges.
That's why I remain.
These questions just echo Tahir's statement: "but I do hope that you will
continue the engagement nevertheless."
Thanks,
Tom
"The Earth is not dying - she is being killed. And those who are killing her
have names
and addresses." -Utah Phillips
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