ABSTRACT
Joseph Pearce’s critique is both valid and relevant to understanding of the negative symptoms which follow from mainstream economics, and his critique is also an argument in favour of ecological economics. A society based on ecological economics differs from the society by being ecologically sustainable, fair, efficient and secure. Ecological economics focuses on the interplay between economy, nature and society in a long-term perspective. Instead of focusing on quantitative growth in gross domestic product, ecological economics gives priority to “enjoyment of life”. In the future society, “an ecological worldview of complexity and indeterminacy, inspired by nature as mentor, holistic, integrated, and flexible” has replaced the mechanistic worldview. Eco-systems are understood in terms of webs of energy, i.e., networks of organisms, organisms are networks of cells, and cells are networks of molecules. Direct democracy, with its increased social interaction, is of great importance in encouraging community members to participate in making decisions about matters that affect their lives and livelihoods.
