An exploration of the lived experience of small-scale organic farmers in New England that unpacks how they balance their ideals with economic realities In recent years, the popularity of organically grown produce has exploded. In 2014, organic fruits and vegetables accounted for 12% of all produce sales in the United States, with $39 billion in consumer sales reported for 2015. As a federally recognized niche market within the agricultural mainstream, organic farming is increasingly on display in American grocery stores. Yet the organic food most Americans consume today is produced by an industrial food system at odds with the practices and ideals of small-scale farmers. Taking an ethnographic approach, the fieldwork by Connor Fitzmaurice and Brian Gareau at a small New England organic farm sheds light on how farmers navigate the difficult terrain between practices of sustainability and the economic realities of contemporary agriculture. Drawing on extensive research, Fitzmaurice and Gareau examine the historical context, complexities, and viability of nonconventional organic farming practices: practices that seek to balance ecology and community with the business of agriculture.
Essentials of Economics in Context is specifically designed to meet the requirements of a one-semester introductory economics course that provides coverage of both microeconomic and macroeconomic foundations. It addresses current economic challenges, paying specific attention to issues of inequality, globalization, unpaid work, technology, financialization, and the environment, making the text a genuine 21st-century introduction to economics. Aspects of history, institutions, gender, ethics, and ecology are integrated throughout the text, and economic analysis is presented within broader themes of human well-being, and social and environmental sustainability. Theoretical expositions in the text are kept close to reality by integrating numerous real-world examples and by presenting the material in the recognized accessible and engaging style of this experienced author team. Key features include: a brand-new chapter devoted entirely to economic inequality up-to-date discussions of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on labor markets, inflation, and beyond an inclusive approach to economics, where the economy is analyzed within its social and environmental context (including a greater focus on topics outside of the United States) a focus on goals of human well-being, stability, and sustainability, instead of solely focusing on market activities This text is the ideal resource for one-semester introductory economics courses globally. The book's companion website is available at www.bu.edu/eci/essentials.
Microeconomics in Context lays out the principles of microeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date, and relevant to students. Like its counterpart, Macroeconomics in Context, the book is uniquely attuned to economic, social, and environmental realities. The "In Context" books offer affordability, accessible presentation, and engaging coverage of current policy issues from economic inequality and global climate change to taxes and globalization. Key features include: Clear explanations of basic concepts and analytical tools, with advanced models presented in optional chapter appendices; Presentation of policy issues in historical, environmental, institutional, social, political, and ethical contexts—an approach that fosters critical evaluation of the standard microeconomic models, such as welfare analysis, labor markets, and market competition; A powerful graphical presentation of various measures of well-being in the United States and other countries, including income inequality, taxes, educational attainment, and environmental quality; Broad definitions of well-being using both traditional economic metrics and factors such as environmental quality, health, equity, and political inclusion; Significantly revised chapters on globalization and trade, economic and social inequality, labor markets, and public goods; Expanded coverage of high-interest topics such as behavioral economics, labor markets, and economic discrimination; Full complement of instructor and student support materials online. This new edition also features more international data and analysis, and further material on the importance of economic power in shaping policy. The latest addition to the "In Context" series combines real-world relevance with a thorough grounding in multiple economic paradigms. The book's companion website is available at: http://www.bu.edu/eci/education-materials/textbooks/microeconomics-in-context/
From climate change to fossil fuel dependency, from the uneven effects of natural disasters to the loss of biodiversity: complex socio-environmental problems indicate the urgency for cross-disciplinary research into the ways in which the social, the natural and the technological are ever more entangled. This ground breaking text moves between environmental sociology and environmental geography, political and social ecology and critical design studies to provide a definitive mapping of the state of environmental social theory in the age of the anthropocene. Environments, Natures and Social Theory provokes dialogue and confrontation between critical political economists, actor network theorists, neo-Malthusians and environmental justice advocates. It maps out the new environmental politics of hybridity moving from hybrid neo-liberals to end times ecologists, from post environmentalists to cyborg eco-socialists. White, Rudy and Gareau insist on the necessity of a critical but optimistic hybrid politics, arguing that a more just, egalitarian, democratic and sustainable anthropocene is within our grasp. This will only be brought into being, however, by reclaiming, celebrating and channeling the reconstructive potential of entangled hybrid humans as inventive hominids, creative gardeners, critical publics and political agents. Written in an accessible style, Environments, Natures and Social Theory is an essential resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students across the social sciences.
This book challenges the oft-cited belief that the Montreal Protocol remains an exemplary global environmental agreement. Through a sociological analysis of the political decision-making process and controversies generated at Montreal Protocol meetings, the book documents new ways global environmental governance is organized based on neoliberal ideals. The book shows how neoliberalism - as a dominant discourse and economic practice - has become increasingly embedded in the Montreal Protocol, and how global powers are able to act protectionist amid that discourse. The book demonstrates how recent controversies involve much more than just economic protectionism per se; it also involves the protection of the legitimacy of certain forms of scientific knowledge. It traces the rise of a new form of disagreement between global powers, members of the scientific community, civil society and agro-industry groups, signaling the negative impact of neoliberal policies on ozone politics and global environmental governance more broadly. The book reveals how global civil society groups involved in the Montreal Protocol are affected by the neoliberal discourse, which has left them relatively ineffective in their efforts to push for environmental protection"--
The study of economics should not be highly abstract, but closely related to real-world events. Principles of Economics in Context addresses this challenge, laying out the principles of micro-and macroeconomics in a manner that is thorough, up to date and relevant to students, keeping theoretical exposition close to experience. Emphasizing writing that is compelling, clear, and attractive to students, it addresses such critical concerns as ecological sustainability, distributional equity, the quality of employment, and the adequacy of living standards. Key features include: Clear explanation of basic concepts and analytical tools, with Discussion Questions at the end of each section, encouraging immediate review of what has been read and relating the material to the students’ own experience; Full complement of instructor and student support materials online, including test banks and grading through Canvas; Key terms highlighted in boldface throughout the text, and important ideas and definitions set off from the main text; A glossary at the end of the book containing all key terms, their definitions, and the number of the chapter(s) in which each was first used and defined. Updates for the second edition include: Expanded coverage of topics including inequality, financialization and debt issues, the changing nature of jobs, and sustainable development; New material on wage discrimination by race and gender; an expanded section on labor markets and immigration; Updated discussion of fiscal policy to include more recent developments such as the Trump tax cuts; New material on behavioral economics, public goods, and climate change policy; a new section on “The Economics of Renewable Energy.” This new, affordable edition combines the just-released new editions of Microeconomics in Context and Macroeconomics in Context to provide an integrated full-year text covering all aspects of both micro-and macro-analysis and application, with many up-to-date examples and extensive supporting Web resources for instructors and students. The companion website can be found at: http://www.bu.edu/eci/education-materials/textbooks/principles-of-economics-in-context/
This book challenges the oft-cited belief that the Montreal Protocol remains an exemplary global environmental agreement. Through a sociological analysis of the political decision-making process and controversies generated at Montreal Protocol meetings, the book documents new ways global environmental governance is organized based on neoliberal ideals. The book shows how neoliberalism - as a dominant discourse and economic practice - has become increasingly embedded in the Montreal Protocol, and how global powers are able to act protectionist amid that discourse. The book demonstrates how recent controversies involve much more than just economic protectionism per se; it also involves the protection of the legitimacy of certain forms of scientific knowledge. It traces the rise of a new form of disagreement between global powers, members of the scientific community, civil society and agro-industry groups, signaling the negative impact of neoliberal policies on ozone politics and global environmental governance more broadly. The book reveals how global civil society groups involved in the Montreal Protocol are affected by the neoliberal discourse, which has left them relatively ineffective in their efforts to push for environmental protection"--
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