The Economic Metabolism

Students in Technical and Agricultural faculties spend only a limited amount of time on general economics, environmental economics and resource economics. However, while their knowledge of economics may be limited, they often have adequate mathematical skills. The objective of The Economic Metabolism, therefore, is to present these three branches of economics in an integrated, mathematically oriented way, so that the subjects can be taught together, without losing time on separate economics courses. While the approach adopted is mathematical, the mathematics used is certainly not too difficult for the target group: university students in technical and/or agricultural faculties will be used to far more difficult mathematics.
After studying the book, the basic/intermediate level student should be able to understand the basic principles of economics, especially microeconomics; understand the economic principles of environmental policy; understand the economic principles of resource extraction; apply the standards for efficiency and sustainability; and apply the theory to practical problems.

Inhalt

1. Theory of consumption.- 2. Theory of production.- 3. Analysis of costs and supply function.- 4. Market equilibrium, taxation and the market dynamics.- 5. General equilibrium theory.- 6. Welfare economics and cost-benefit analysis.- 7. Market forms.- 8. Production factors.- 9. Income distribution.- 10. Efficiency in resource depletion.- 11. Economic environmental policy instruments.- 12. Macro economic environmental aspects.- 13. Conditions for sustainable resource use.- 14. Economic growth.- 15. Resource depletion and economic growth.- 16. Spatial aspects of environmental problem.- 17. Steady-state economics.- 18. Sustainable growth and economic metabolism.- Literature.