ABSTRACT
Dominant social paradigm (DSP) constitutes those clusters of beliefs, values, and ideals that influence our thinking about society, government, and individual responsibility. In the United States, the DSP is rooted in the early history of the country-a period when individualism and growth did not seem to conflict with sound resource management. Economic growth to the extent it is dependent on inputs from the environment has obvious limitations. The resources for additional automobiles, washing machines, and toasters cannot continue forever-even with highly efficient recycling. Economic transactions do not always incorporate the full range of cost and benefits associated with the production or distribution of goods. Some economists have recognized the limitations of traditional economic analysis and have developed a relatively new field of economics called ecological economics. Modern science and technology have their roots in Western civilization and have always had, as a major driving force, the purpose of conquering nature for utilitarian ends.
