Scarcity in the age of abundance: paradox and remedies
International Journal of Ethics and Systems
ISSN: 2514-9369
Article publication date: 6 November 2018
Issue publication date: 21 January 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the concepts of scarcity and abundance from an interdisciplinary perspective. It argues that the idea of economics, as the study of human behavior with regard to scarce resources and unlimited wants, leads to competition, confrontation and conflict, whereas the nature of humans is that of kindness, cooperation and sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses content analysis of texts from multiple disciplines, using both deductive and inductive logic, to study the situation of scarcity and abundance, explore reasons and offer remedies. The paper consists of seven sections, five of which are the main discussion. Section 2 looks at the concepts of scarcity and abundance. Section 3 presents reasons for scarcity: economic and behavioral. Section 4 discusses the civilization perspective of poverty and wealth. Section 5 briefly looks at sustainable development and good governance. Section 6 argues in favor of simplicity and spirituality as remedies for the problem of scarcity, and Section 7 concludes the paper.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the relativity of the concepts of scarcity and abundance, points out the paradox of the modern consumer economies and argues that simplicity, spirituality and universal values are necessary to remedy the ills of overconsumption/overproduction, waste and inequality.
Originality/value
This paper offers spirituality and ethics-based remedies for the negative consequences of neo-classical economics and social Darwinism.
Keywords
Citation
Rafikov, I. and Akhmetova, E. (2019), "Scarcity in the age of abundance: paradox and remedies", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. 35 No. 1, pp. 119-132. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-07-2018-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited