Ecological macroeconomics: a methodological survey

Resumen

The aim of the paper is to provide an overview and analyze the emerging ecological macroeconomic approach from a methodological point of view. As ecological economics, this emerging approach is being constituted by a methodologically plural set of studies. We identify and classify three main macroeconomic strands developed from ecological economic concerns. First of all, we present the conventional macroeconomic IS-LM model adapted to a sustainable production scale. Secondly, we discuss a fundamentalist post-Keynesian view to ecological economics more critical to the use of models. Finally, we describe the attempts to build ecological macroeconomic models based on post-Keynesian approach. For each of them, theories, methods and assumptions are discussed and criticized in light of ecological economic foundations. We conclude reinforcing the role of methodological criticism for the consolidation of a relevant ecological macroeconomics.