Capitalism, ecological destruction and mainstream environmental economic theory: a radical critique

Abstract

This dissertation contributes to heterodox environmental economics by providing a unique and thorough critique of mainstream environmental economic theory. This dissertation draws on insights developed by radical political economy, primarily the insights of Marx and Marxism, to highlight the flaws in mainstream environmental economic theory and their applicability for solving climate change and the biodiversity crisis in practice. The radical critiques provided in this dissertation further enhance the disciplines understanding of capitalist society and its institutions. Most importantly, these critiques attempt to alter the discourse and stimulate the development of alternative theories that might have the potential to solve environmental problems in practice. Finally, this dissertation begins the new discursive process by showing the potential alternative cooperative relations of production hold for environmental, economic and social sustainability. This is done by analyzing worker-owned cooperatives and common property relations as they exist in capitalist economies and their role in transitioning out of a capitalist system