ABSTRACT

Arguing that neoclassical economic models are inadequate to confront issues of biological diversity, Richard Norgaard offers the "coevolutionary development paradigm" as a promising alternative. It poses three questions. First, in what sense is biological diversity important? Second, what are the interrelationships between extinction and the path to development during recent years? Third, what steps must be taken to retain biological diversity for the future? Ultimately, he warns us, the coevolutionary paradigm does not furnish the answers to all questions, but it does offer the possibility of an alternative organization for world views and evidence, questions and answers, and social organization and possible response.