The illusion of economic objectivity: linking local risks of credibility loss to global risks of climate change

Abstract

This article analyses economic thinking as a conceptual construct and discusses the link it provides between local risks of losing credibility and global risks of resource depletion and climate change. Due to the high‐ranking value given to economic thinking in many Swedish contexts, economic arguments are perfect ways to win an argument or negotiation, to prevent risks of losing credibility, or to discredit others. As illustrated in this article, legitimacy‐creating acts of communication tend to precede or follow upon a decision to install a solar heating system. An immediate and massive use of solar energy for heating purposes would mitigate the risks of global warming and depletion of energy resources. Unfortunately however, the conspicuous use of economic arguments accompanying solar heating installations tends to be interpreted by policy‐makers as a preference for economic motives rather than a sign of questioned consumption. The illusion that economy is an objective entity rising above all other social issues seems to be confirmed, and political measures based on economic thinking can continue to block adequate steps towards the mitigation of climate changing emissions. The cultural representation of economic sovereignty is continuously reproduced through communication. It is a circle; a vicious circle if you like.

Keywords:

• economy
• solar energy
• communication
• credibility
• culture

Acknowledgement

The photo in Figure 1 was taken by my colleague Kent Börjesson, and Molly B&B (mollybob.se) helped me with the graphic form in Figure 2.