Environmental Philosophies & Ethics

EVR 3020

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Session 5: Battle for the World Economy

Reading Assignment: Adam Smith (1776) The Wealth of Nations. p. 270-286; 307-311; 341-360; Wimberley, Edward T. and Hobbs, Bradley (2013) "The Conservative Ecologist and Free Market Environmentalism" The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice. Vol. 8, p. 1-21.

Video Assignment: Episode One The Commanding Heights, The Battle of Ideas; Free Market Environmentalism Part 1; Free Market Environmentalism Part 2; Part One: Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism.

Homework Assignment:

  1. Briefly explain Smith's philosophical approach to economics.
  2. Go to the web and research this question: Why would corporations pollute the environment? Specifically look into whether they do so due to callous disregard for environmental consequences, to increase shareholder profitiability, because they have the long-term welfare of society in mind or because they tend to see pollution as industrial residue rather than as waste.
  3. Summarize the events that led to WWII and the post-war economic events that followed and on the basis of that comparison between capitalism, socialism and communism.
  4. Provide an overview of Wimberley and Hobbs approach to free market environmentalism.