New Economical Aspects of Air Pollution

Abstract

Traditional economic theory is inadequate for the solution of air pollution problems. If environmental policy is guided by economic theory, pollution will be ‘repaired’ instead of prevented. Thus, on a societal level environmental policy will be irrational. The shift from economic theory to political economy makes possible the integration of economic and technological aspects as well as the imperative cooperation between natural and social sciences. However, the political economy of air pollution can actually only be outlined to a limited degree. The tendency toward ‘over-industrialization’ and ‘over-organization’ as well as the concept of economic efficiency are still to be investigated in terms of political economy. The solution of pollution problems according to ecological principles has to take place within a global socio-economic strategy by problem-oriented planning processes on the level of active decision-making.