The Determinants of the Economy-Environment Relationship

In this paper we have tried to make a synthesis of the economy-environment relationship in terms of its determinants. The environmental crisis, whose effects we feel more and more often, is a world crisis, and its causes are not strictly related to one type of economy or another, centralized or free, to a particular type of economic growth, the wealth or poverty level of those who abuse nature’s gifts. In this context, the identification of the underlying factors of the existing imbalances represents a first step towards rethinking development policies with a view to reconciliation with the environment, adopting a new conduct towards it and towards resources, a conduct which would control man’s tendency to dominate nature.