Why Law Now Needs to Control Rather than Follow Neo-Classical Economics
95 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2015 Last revised: 11 May 2017
Date Written: 2016
Abstract
Neo-classical economics and selfish notions of utilitarianism are driving the globalized economy. Those approaches are destined to fail as they have no brake to discourage humanity from consuming, populating, or polluting enough to harm the life support system of our planet. As they take lives for proprietary gain, neo-classical economics and its decision tool, cost-benefit analysis, work to increase humanity’s foreseeable risks. We should reject the theory and its tools. We need to search for ways to control rather than follow neo-classical economics. We need a careful discussion about the needed changes and their timing.
Keywords: Law & economics, administrative law, environmental law, cost-benefit analysis, CBA, neo-classical economics, selfishness, significant risk, foreseeability, irreversibility, moral law, morality, precautionary principle
JEL Classification: D61, D81, E13, K23, K32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation