A Poverty of Reason by Wilfred Beckerman
Environmental activists, politicians and celebrities have touted the wisdom of "sustainable development" as though its meaning and value were clear. But the concept has barely been defined, let alone subjected to scientific, economic, and philosophical scrutiny.Oxford University economist Wilfred Beckerman puts "sustainable development" to the test, questioning several of its core claims: Will economic growth burn itself out by depleting the natural resources it requires? Will global warming wreak widespread havoc? Does human activity threaten to throw a delicate planet dangerously "out of balance"? Do future generations possess rights that morally override the claims of those alive today? At what price?
After examining the evidence, Beckerman finds "sustainable development" lacking on both scientific and moral grounds. Although millions of people lack clean air and water, and are plagued by deteriorating ecosystems, these problems are caused not by "unsustainable development" but by poverty, poorly defined property rights, and lack of freedom of opportunity. And, Beckerman concludes, because "sustainable development" recommends policies that would worsen these conditions (for present and future generations), it hardly occupies the moral high ground, as its supporters claim.
A Poverty of Reason provides a critical examination of this highly controversial topic and will prove essential in the ongoing debate about environmental and economic practices.
"Sustainable development has become a shield for special-interest argumentsBeckerman's careful critique points out [its] crucial ethical and economic shortcomings." -- P.J. Hill, chair of economics, Wheaton College. "Advocates of sustainable development' are unlikely to be convinced by all these claims; but they will learn a great deal." -- Cass R. Sunstein, Distinguished Service Professor, law school and department of political science, University of Chicago. "Anyone who believes that sustainable development' is a meaningful intellectual construct needs to read this clear and concise book." -- Robert Nelson, professor of public affairs, University of Maryland. "We now have an excellent book which carefully examines [the philosophical and scientific underpinnings of sustainable development.']" -- Donald H. Stedman, professor of chemistry, University of Denver. "Wilfred Beckerman brings wisdom and wit to his examination of major themes found in today's environmental policy." -- Bruce Yandle, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Economics, Clemson University.
Wilfred Beckerman is an emeritus fellow of Balliol College at Oxford University. Dr. Beckerman is an economist and the author of many academic articles and several books including In Defence of Economic Growth, Small is Stupid and most recently Justice, Posterity and the Environment (with J. Pasek). Dr. Beckerman has served on Britain's Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, and chaired the Academic Panel of Economists for the UK Department of the Environment from 1991 to 1996.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780945999850 |
| ISBN 10 | 0945999852 |
| Title | A Poverty of Reason |
| Author | Wilfred Beckerman |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Independent Institute,U.S. |
| Year published | 2002-09-30 |
| Number of pages | 130 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |