This is a block course for doctoral/PhD students. It will work through the book: Foundations of social ecological economics: The fight for revolutionary change in economic thought by Clive L. Spash.

This book explores radical dissent from orthodox mainstream economics, and sets out a
theoretically grounded vision for the emerging paradigm of social ecological economics.
At the heart of this paradigmatic shift lies an acknowledgement of the inextricable
embeddedness of economies in biophysical reality and social structure. The struggle for
this transformative vision unfolds through a critical examination of mainstream
environmental thought, followed by a nuanced evaluation of contributions from Marxists,
socialists, critical institutionalists, feminists and Post-Keynesians grappling with the
urgent environmental crisis.

Synthesising insights from these diverse and heterodox schools, the book navigates the
philosophical underpinnings of science, embracing a critical realist approach that
challenges not only mainstream economic thought but also eclectic pluralism, relativism
and strong constructionism. The question of what constitutes revolutionary science is
explored in light of works by Kuhn, Schumpeter and Neurath, emphasising the pivotal
role of values and ideology in works from Marx to Gramsci.

Building on these radical and philosophical foundations, the book articulates a
preanalytic vision of social ecological economics, dismantling entrenched notions of
growth and efficiency in favour of a framework centered on social provisioning and
needs embedded in ethics. In a thought-provoking conclusion, the book applies its
analytical lens to the multiple crises of modernity within industrialised capitalaccumulating
economies. An agenda for social ecological transformation toward diverse
alternative economies emerges, providing a compelling call to action in the face of
contemporary challenges.

Students will be able to:

• explain the history of environmental thought in economics;
• compare orthodox mainstream and heterodox schools of thought;
• understand the confused philosophical under-pinning of mainstream economics
• evaluate the role of methodological pluralism
• reproduce the arguments in favour of a critical and realist philosophy of science
• compare methods for interdisciplinary integration of knowledge
• evaluate different positions taken by ecological economists
• justify the need for radical systemic change
• refute arguments made in favour of capital accumulating growth
• propose research that will help achieve social ecological transformation

8 of the 10 scheduled class must be attended

The block course will consist of 10 sessions involving student participation in discussions. The first class will be introductory and involve a lecture. Each subsequent session will start with students giving a short presentation outlining their understanding of the set chapter’s contents, and raising questions of understanding and any matters of interest related to the reading. The session will then switch to an elaboration of issues raised and clarification on any concepts by the teacher. Students can engage during this response. There will then be a general group discussion of the topic and take-aways.

Students are expected to have read the chapter before the class and be prepared for dicusssion of its contents. Active particpation is required.

The course will be assessed by participation in class, presentation of the reading and a final essay. The final grade will be 50% on class performance and 50% on the final essay. The essay will be 1500 words on what you learnt from the course that is of relevance to your dissertation.

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