DIVERSITY OF ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS AND DEGROWTH THEORY: FOCUSING ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THERMODYNAMIC LAWS AND VISION

Аннотация

The degrowth theories in ecological economics can be divided into two flows: Georgescu-Roegen and S. Latouche versus K. E. Boulding, H. E. Daly, and T. Jackson. The former rejects growth entirely, while the latter accepts some growth. Different views on environmental issues and interpretations of thermodynamic laws lead to these distinct theories. Thispaper will analyze and compare both. Keywords:Ecological economics, degrowth, vision,thermodynamic laws. 1 INTRODUCTION Environmental issues in economics are seen as inefficiencies from lacking property rights over nature, causing misapplication of market principles known as externalities. Environmental economics seeks solutions by proposing mechanisms to apply market principles to the natural environment (internalizing externalities) to createa balance between growth and theenvironment. This process is viewed as a path to sustainable development and is rooted in neoclassical economics, often referred to as neoclassical environmental economics. However, discussions about environmental issues also include ecological economics, which critiques mainstream economic theories and environmental economics for failing to provide real solutions. The main difference between these two fields lies in their views on how the natural environment impacts human economic activities. Mainstream economists argue that depleting non-renewable resources can be replaced with artificial resources (capital), while ecological economists contend that this substitution is only partially possible and overall, not sustainable. Ecological economics developed from the ideas of Georgescu-Roegen and Boulding, leading to the formation of the International Society for Ecological Economics in 1987 and the launch ofthejournal Ecological Economics in1989. Solow pointed out the seriousness of environmental problems, suggesting that scarce natural resources could be entirely replaced by capital [1], a view questioned by Georgescu- Roegen based on thermodynamic laws [2]. The journal hosted a debate in 1997 between proponents from both sides regarding the substitutability of natural resources, with ecological page1204 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue02,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai economics emphasizing the complementarity between natural and artificial resources. Ecological economics, unlike mainstream economic theories or environmental economics, emphasizes the complementary relationship between natural resources and artificial resources rather than assuming the possibility of substitution or recognizing substitution relationships [3]. If substitutability between natural resources and artificial resources is not recognized, then the importance of environmental constraints must necessarily be understood differently from mainstream economic theories. In this context, ecological economists judge that mainstream theories are insufficient to resolve environmental issues and therefore attempt anew approach. Recently, the concept of degrowth has gained traction within ecological economics, which advocates for a balance between growth and the environment. Degrowth challenges the need for constant growth, leading to varied views on its implications. The term originated from a 1972 article in France [5] and was popularized in the 1st Degrowth Conference in 2008. The MAUSSgroup leads thedegrowth movement, critiquingmodern society's utilitarian values [6]. Although Georgescu-Roegen did not mention degrowth directly, his writings were compiled by the MAUSS group in 1979 in a book called "Degrowth: Entropy, Ecology, Economy. " Somebelieve that the "Limits to Growth" led toDaly's steady-state economics in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 2000s, the MAUSS group in France helped promote degrowth discussions, especially with Jackson's report for the UK Sustainable Development Commission [7]. Discussions on degrowth in ecological economics can be divided into two paths, leading to differing views on sustainable development. In the former, degrowth leads to a complete rejection of all development or growth [8] while the latter does not. In the former context, degrowth is seen as an alternative to surpass sustainable development, whereas in the latter, degrowth is regarded as a means to achieve sustainable development on a global level. This highlights the significant differences of opinion surrounding the concept of sustainable development withinecological economics. 2METHODS What accounts for these differences, and what implications do they hold for understanding the characteristics of degrowth theories within ecological economics? This paper starts from such questions. It will first examine the differences between the two degrowth theories and then confirm these differences through Schumpeter’s concept of vision. Subsequently, it will explore how the theoretical and practical implicatio