ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on economic change that provides meaningful and life-enhancing development. It describes criteria that make it possible to draw a demarcation line between green economics (as ideology) and ecological economics (as utopia). The chapter discusses different theoretical positions that are relevant to identify the difference between the two versions of environmentally oriented economics. It gives a brief presentation of paradigms and paradigm shifts and analyzes the change on three levels: symptoms, pathology and etiology. The chapter argues that it is not enough to reduce the symptoms but rather people have to invent and develop new structures that lead to a viable economy. To exemplify these changes, the chapter refers to the differences between low- and high-synergy societies. It points out clearly some of the main differences between green economy and ecological economics. In order to understand the creative tension between actuality and potentiality (realistic utopia), the chapter gives a brief description of green economy and ecological economics.
