Suchergebnisse

AbstractBuilt on the fictional concept of equilibrium, mainstream economics provides a method of analysis that, when paired with the calculus, enables relatively easy identification of maximum and minimum values. Lacking empirical evidence of its behavioral assumptions, the profession accepts such familiar claims as consumer maximization of utility and business firm maximization of profit or revenue. In place of the relatively static concept of equilibrium, the Veblen‐Myrdal notion of circular and cumulative causation (CCC) arguably has greater descriptive capability and more penetrating insight for policy recommendations. This article traces the historical origins of both concepts and argues that CCC offers considerable potential for a broad, dynamic, interdisciplinary, more thorough, and more accurate analytical framework. Specific examples of work that has been done along with suggestions for future applications of this concept are given.

Abstract
Rural Africa lags behind global progress to provide safe drinking water to everyone. Decades of effort and billions of dollars of investment have yielded modest gains, with high but avoidable health and economic costs borne by over 300m people lacking basic water access. We explore why rural water is different for communities, schools, and healthcare facilities across characteristics of scale, institutions, demand, and finance. The findings conclude with policy recommendations to (i) network rural services at scale, (ii) unlock rural payments by creating value, and (iii) design and test performance-based funding models at national and regional scales, with an ambition to eliminate the need for future, sustainable development goals.

AbstractSustainable development can be attained by policies that are derived by analyses that integrate biophysical considerations into economic models. We show that policies and incentives that correct market failure can attain sustainable development through enhancing conservation, recycling, the use of renewable resources, and development of the bioeconomy, which relies on biological processes and feedstock to produce renewable products. The design of sustainable development policies and analysis of the bioeconomy pose new challenges to applied economists, who are uniquely qualified to integrate economic analysis with biophysical considerations.