329 research outputs found
The evolutionary approach to entropy: Reconciling Georgescu-Roegen's natural philosophy with the maximum entropy framework
No full textIn Georgescu-Roegen's classical, though controversial discussion of entropy in relation to economics, the dualism of mechanical and subjective time plays a pivotal role. I argue that this fundamental distinction also inheres modern approaches to maximum entropy. Following Searle, I introduce the ontological dualism of observer independent and observer relative facts, and show that the notion of entropy also manifests this dualism, in the sense of the contextuality of measurements in experimental settings. Extending on the notion of observer relativity, I argue that the MaxEnt principle can be generalized into a framework of analyzing the evolution of (biological, technological etc.) functions under natural selection, if functions are equated with inference devices. Then, observer relativity is function relativity. In hierarchical evolutionary systems, this corresponds to the Maximum Entropy Production Principle, in the sense that functional evolution approximates gradients of maximum dissipation of energy. Against this background, the Georgescu-Roegen dualism of time translates into the dualism of observer independent entropy, which is the object of MEPP, and observer relative entropy, which is the object of MaxEnt. Both are two aspects under which evolution in general and economic evolution in particular can be analyzed. --Georgescu-Roegen,maximum entropy,observer relativity,time,hierarchical evolutionary systems,natural selection,physical concepts of information
The quasiparticle zoo
No full textQuasiparticles are an extremely useful concept that provides a more intuitive understanding of complex phenomena in many-body physics. As such, they appear in various contexts, linking ideas across different fields and supplying a common language
Seasonal hydroclimatic impacts of Sun Corridor expansion
No full textabstract: Conversion of natural to urban land forms imparts influence on local and regional hydroclimate via modification of the surface energy and water balance, and consideration of such effects due to rapidly expanding megapolitan areas is necessary in light of the growing global share of urban inhabitants. Based on a suite of ensemble-based, multi-year simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, we quantify seasonally varying hydroclimatic impacts of the most rapidly expanding megapolitan area in the US: Arizona's Sun Corridor, centered upon the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Using a scenario-based urban expansion approach that accounts for the full range of Sun Corridor growth uncertainty through 2050, we show that built environment induced warming for the maximum development scenario is greatest during the summer season (regionally averaged warming over AZ exceeds 1 °C). Warming remains significant during the spring and fall seasons (regionally averaged warming over AZ approaches 0.9 °C during both seasons), and is least during the winter season (regionally averaged warming over AZ of 0.5 °C). Impacts from a minimum expansion scenario are reduced, with regionally averaged warming ranging between 0.1 and 0.3 °C for all seasons except winter, when no warming impacts are diagnosed. Integration of highly reflective cool roofs within the built environment, increasingly recognized as a cost-effective option intended to offset the warming influence of urban complexes, reduces urban-induced warming considerably. However, impacts on the hydrologic cycle are aggravated via enhanced evapotranspiration reduction, leading to a 4% total accumulated precipitation decrease relative to the non-adaptive maximum expansion scenario. Our results highlight potentially unintended consequences of this adaptation approach within rapidly expanding megapolitan areas, and emphasize the need for undeniably sustainable development paths that account for hydrologic impacts in addition to continued focus on mean temperature effects.Corresponding Author:
Matei Georgescu
Arizona State University
[email protected]
Macroeconomic Evolution in Romania’s Development Regions within the Current Economic- Financial Crisis
No full textDevelopment disparities between regions and within Romania have existed both in the period before Romania joined the European Union and after January 1, 2007. This phenomenon has gained momentum because of the impact of economic restructuring, particularly in mono-industrial areas, whose population has been affected by unemployment due to closure of unprofitable state enterprises. Financial crisis and economic impact of accession on growth in the eight development regions of Romania in 2007 produced no changes in their rankings as the index of regional disparity, even though for some, its value has increased from 2006. This paper presents a comparative analysis of developments in macroeconomic indicators in developing regions of Romania.development regions, administrative-territorial structures, regional disparities, aging, educational level
Working Paper No. 54, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen and Ecological Economics
No full textThis inquiry seeks to establish that in his book The Entropy Law and the Economic Process [1971] (2013), author Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen provides a foundation for Ecological Economics. The Entropy Law implies that the economic process is limited because it is reliant on finite natural resources, e.g., fossil fuels and minerals, as the economic process involves relying upon low-entropy natural resources in the production of consumer goods, and then results in the discarding of high-entropy waste, e.g., heat in the form of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, into the environment, eventually resulting in noticeable degradation. Notably, these ideas from Georgescu-Roegen’s work on the Entropy Law prove to be foundational for the field of Ecological Economics. Based upon the idea that the economy exists within a social system, which in turn is a subsystem of the biosphere, ecological economics views humans as being connected to the large environment, rather than separate from it. These views originate from and are closely aligned with Georgescu-Roegen’s writings on entropy and economics
An alternative explanation of the semiarid urban area “oasis effect”
No full textabstract: This research evaluates the climatic summertime representation of the diurnal cycle of near-surface temperature using the Weather Research and Forecasting System (WRF) over the rapidly urbanizing and water-vulnerable Phoenix metropolitan area. A suite of monthly, high-resolution (2 km grid spacing) simulations are conducted during the month of July with both a contemporary landscape and a hypothetical presettlement scenario. WRF demonstrates excellent agreement in the representation of the daily to monthly diurnal cycle of near-surface temperatures, including the accurate simulation of maximum daytime temperature timing. Thermal sensitivity to anthropogenic land use and land cover change (LULCC), assessed via replacement of the modern-day landscape with natural shrubland, is small on the regional scale. The WRF-simulated characterization of the diurnal cycle, supported by previous observational analyses, illustrates two distinct and opposing impacts on the urbanized diurnal cycle of the Phoenix metro area, with evening and nighttime warming partially offset by daytime cooling. The simulated nighttime urban heat island (UHI) over this semiarid urban complex is explained by well-known mechanisms (slow release of heat from within the urban fabric stored during daytime and increased emission of longwave radiation from the urban canopy toward the surface). During daylight hours, the limited vegetation and dry semidesert region surrounding metro Phoenix warms at greater rates than the urban complex. Although prior work has suggested that daytime temperatures are lower within the urban complex owing to the addition of residential and agricultural irrigation (i.e., “oasis effect”) we show that modification of Phoenix's surrounding environment to a biome more representative of temperate regions eliminates the daytime urban cooling. Our results indicate that surrounding environmental conditions, including land cover and availability of soil moisture, play a principal role in establishing the nature and evolution of the diurnal cycle of near-surface temperature for the greater Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area relative to its rural and undeveloped counterpart.Corresponding Author:
Matei Georgescu
Arizona State University
[email protected]
Electronic governance, premise for implementation of electronic democracy
No full textLiving in a rapidly changing society, where information travels with great speed and its upgrade is essential, we decided to approach certain aspects of e-democracy, as a dynamic way of citizen participation, using new Information and Communications Technologies. The theme chosen for this research, Electronic governance, premise for implementation of electronic democracy, is a part of Electronic Administration field and identifies the meanings of implementing e-government and e-democracy, the necessity and effects of putting them into practice and the conditions to be fulfilled for the development of electronic services and fostering citizen participation in their use. E-governance as well as edemocracy have a clear contribution in making social progress, thanks to capitalize the most important irreversible resource, the time for achievement of the main administrative operations. The overall objective of the research aims to establish the relationship between governance and electronic democracy. From this perspective, this paper will contain: analyzing the importance of both e-governance and e-democracy, risks and benefits for each one, clarifying the need and implications underlying the implementation of electronic systems and explain the conditions to be met by citizens in order to benefit from these services. To achieve the objectives set, will be dominant the analyzing method of the social phenomena in their evolution. They will also combine harmoniously with practical examples in various member states of the European Union.e-governance, e-democracy
La teoria bioeconomica di Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen e il «godimento della vita»
No full textLa tesi ripercorre e analizza l’opera scientifica di Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, dalla critica al concetto di utilità e alla teoria del comportamento del consumatore, all’identificazione del «godimento della vita» come fine ultimo del processo economico.
Si indagano le connessioni di questa opera con l’approccio sistemico nelle scienze e si ricercano, inoltre, gli influssi dell’autore sull’attuale impostazione dell’Ecological Economics.The thesis traces and analyzes the scientific work of Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, from the criticism directed at the concept of utility and at the theory of the behaviour of the consumer, to the identification of «enjoyment of life» as the ultimate goal of the economic process.
The work investigates the connections of bioeconomics with the systemic approach in the sciences and seek also the influence of the author on the current setting of Ecological Economics
Credențional. Oltsăcădate, 27 Novembre 1918. Delegați : Ioan Georgescu, Ioan Aleman
No full textMuzeul Național al Unirii Alba Iulia. Colecția documente, Documentele Unirii, vol. III, f. 440-44
Florin Georgescu: A New Outlook on Romanian Capitalism
No full textIn 2021, the Romanian Sociological Association awarded economist Florin Georgescu its Award for Excellence. This essay covers the author’s magnum opus, titled Capital in Post-communist Romania, and focuses on the content most relevant to sociology. Unique in size and scope, the approximate 1,000 page three-volume book features three books in one: a 30-year economic history of Romania, a critical analysis of the way the Romanian capitalist economy developed in the second half of the 2010s, and a blueprint for structural reforms to foster development and reduce inequality. The essay includes a short author presentation and an overall review of the book’s contents, an appraisal of the work’s style and originality, and a review of the themes and subjects most salient for sociologists: capital ‒ labour relationship and the distribution and redistribution system, income and wealth inequality, precarious work, the transition and privatisation processes, structural problems of capitalism, and development policies
- …
