Sustainable development and environmental improvement are often regarded as intrinsically valuable . As a result, the policies by which these goals are to be attained is often inadequately scrutinised. In this book, ecological economics addresses the institutional and policymaking aspects of environmental problems, thus covering a broad socioeconomic research agenda, in contradistinction to mainstream economic approaches. The approach advocated here is open to differing viewpoints on the same issue, sees conflict resolution as a social process, and accepts the need for research into political-economic issues, according a prominent position to the aims of society itself. An in-depth analysis of the policy process is followed in order to understand the pitfalls and barriers that will confront society on the road to sustainable development. The broad approach advocated will appeal to all involved in environmental problems - decision makers, NGO members, and academic scholars. weiterlesen