How does the behavior of large multi-national oligopolists differ from the picture painted by conventional economics? What are the consequences for environmental policy? Do you think the model of the economy depicted by conventional economics accurately reflects the way modern economies actually work? What kinds of environmental policies flow from conventional economics? Do you think they are a good way to address environmental issues? Explain how large oligopolies are able to establish and keep their market power. What are the roles of “economic rents” and “barriers to entry”? How might such oligopolies influence government policy? Why might the incentive to cheat not lead to instability in oligopolistic structures? How might such behavior lead to outcomes for the “economic instruments” approach to environmental policy that are different from the conventional depictions? JK Galbraith claims that economic ideas have “accommodated” changing politics. What does he mean? Do you think he is correct? How might economic ideas about environment have “accommodated” trends in environmental politics? Environmental policy in the past twenty years has been dominated by the broader economic themes of downsizing as part of government deficit-reduction, deregulation and increased competition. What have been the economic ideas that lie behind these policies? Are they sound? Are there alternative accounts of the forces that have motivated these policies? What should we expect will be the economic drivers of future environmental policy? Contrast the differing views of environmentalists and conventional economists regarding the nature of technology and its relationship to economic growth and environmental issues. Some economists claim that environmental regulation acts as a drag on economic productivity. Others argue that environmental regulation can increase productivity firm competitiveness. Who do you think is correct? Why? How is “ecological economics” different from “environmental economics”? Give examples.