Browns Strategies

Browns strategies are derived from the current ecological problems that have been fueled by our consumer oriented mentalities. To correct these problems Brown has suggested that we must implement a rapid systematic change that focuses on conserving our natural resources and environment. As consumers, our demands exceed the Earth's capability to regenerate its resources at a sufficient rate. Unless the market can convey the signals that reflect reality, consumers, government policy makers, and corporate planners will continue to make faulty decisions. These economic decisions have been skewed by these distorted economic signals which will eventually lead to economic decline. Taxes must be strayed away from income and focused more on "environmentally destructive activities, such as fossil fuel burning". This in turn will help the market translate the correct signals to be interpreted by our economies stakeholders. Our economy as a bubble will reach a bursting point if the proper precautions are not taken to ensure the world's sustainability.

To deflate the bubble Brown suggests that we must first stabilize the population to eliminate countries that are over consuming their natural capital assets. Some countries in Europe have already accomplished this, and now we must instill the value of this idea upon the rest of the world. We also must increase energy efficiency in that we must begin to reform the use of carbon-based energy, and move more towards hydrogen based energy. Another important aspect that must be taken into consideration is the stabilization of our water tables along with the conservation of our soil. All of these things are at least being practiced in a few countries, hopefully soon to be adopted by the world to help deflate the bubble before it bursts.

The problem that classical liberals may have with this strategy is that it calls for a certain degree of government intervention. Taxation of specified environmental degrading activities may distort competition which goes against their beliefs. To stabilize the population, Brown states that the keys are, "extending primary education to all children, providing vaccinations and basic health care, and offering reproductive health care and family planning services in all countries". This idea caters to the radical liberal's beliefs in that it supports the development of those children born into poverty, while helping the poor transition closer to the middle class through healthier living. Both liberals would agree that one must adjust to achieve sustainability, or it is one's own fault for being incompetent. So, this sort of forward thinking promotes the competitive spirit that liberals find so merit worthy.

War time mobilization that occurred in 1940 is proof that a country can restructure its economy if it is convinced of the need to do so. During this time of urgency the US was able to turn off over-consumption of everyday goods; completely ban the sale and driving of cars for recreational use, in order to harness its industrial power to maximize military production. The ability of a nation to do this gives hope for future attempts to convert to a more conservative consumer oriented society, in attempts to lower the pressure that has built up in our bubble economy.

Both types of liberals may severely disagree with this for the reason that it eliminates competition by rationing consumption and regulating production. However, if we were to use this technique to conserve, our natural resources regulation would be of a lesser scale, but would still affect competition. The classical liberal would totally disagree with the government intervention, while the radical liberal may regard the government as intervening for the wrong reasons.

The purpose for shifting taxes is to lower income taxes, and to focus on a heavier taxation of environmentally destructive activities. The rationale behind this is that it will expose the indirect costs that are associated with the ecological processes, ultimately leading to the demise of the Earth's natural resources, and those who depend on them. An example of this is the burning of coal that pollutes the air, and the long term health care cost that will result from breathing this pollution. This disbursement of new taxes to environmentally destructive activities should offset the cuts made in income taxes, which will result in a healthier balance that will promote longevity of our environment. Nine countries have implemented such tax shifts in the 1990's, and this strategy has proven to be a successful segue toward global implementation for the future.

This practice may have both types of liberal's approval considering there are no new taxes being applied. It is rather a shift to a more logical means of taxation. Yes, it may disturb the competition aspect for industries such