Adolfo Figueroa Livres

The book delves into the relationship between economic growth and the Anthropocene epoch, proposing a unified theory of capitalism that redefines economic principles for this new era. It emphasizes the need for economic models that are empirically verifiable and aligned with physical sciences, marking a significant shift in understanding capitalism's role in contemporary society. Through this scientific lens, it aims to address the policy implications of these new economic frameworks in light of environmental challenges.

Focusing on pressing issues like inequality, environmental degradation, and social disorder, the essays explore these challenges through a unified theory of capitalism. This scientific framework dissects the capitalist system both in parts and as a whole, examining its evolution into the Anthropocene Age, characterized by ecological disruption. The theory’s empirical predictions align with real-world data, supporting its validity. Ultimately, the book advocates for structural changes in capitalism, particularly in electoral democracy, to foster a more sustainable economic future.

Focusing on the peasant economy in Peru, this study examines its dynamics within the framework of the current capitalist system. It explores the interactions between traditional agricultural practices and modern economic pressures, shedding light on the challenges and adaptations faced by rural communities. The analysis reveals how these economies navigate and respond to the broader economic landscape, highlighting the resilience and strategies of peasant farmers in a changing socio-economic environment.

The book presents a novel economic theory of capitalism, distinct from existing theories like neoclassical, classical, and Keynesian. It offers a unified framework that aligns with eight empirical regularities related to economic growth, income inequality, employment, and environmental degradation. While the theory provides valuable insights, its high level of abstraction raises questions about practical public policy implications. The author encourages further exploration through essays that address these challenges, aiming for a cohesive understanding of economics.

Figueroa's unified theory of capitalism offers a framework for understanding the Anthropocene epoch, where human activity significantly impacts the Earth's fate. The book introduces new economic principles tailored for this era, emphasizing policies grounded in scientific evidence rather than ideology. It addresses pressing issues like income inequality and social disorder, proposing solutions for production and distribution in a zero-growth society. By challenging traditional economic assumptions, it presents a fresh perspective on the complexities of contemporary capitalism.

The new research method presented in this book ensures that all economic theories are falsifiable and that irrefutable theories are scientifically sound. Figueroa combines the logically consistent aspects of Popperian and process epistemologies in his alpha-beta method to address the widespread problem of too-general empirical research methods used in economics. He argues that scientific rules can be applied to economics to make sense of society, but that they must address the complexity of reality as well as the simplicity of the abstract on which hard sciences can rely. Furthermore, because the alpha-beta method combines approaches to address the difficulties of scientifically analyzing complex society, it also extends to other social sciences that have historically relied on empirical methods. This groundbreaking Pivot is ideal for students and researchers dedicated to promoting the progress of scientific research in all social sciences.