The ideas and core beliefs of ecological economics
can be said to constitute a shared framework of
understanding. The framework indicates directions
for research, but does not in itself define more
specific research programmes. In Section 6, the
emerging research programmes are outlined; however,
first it is necessary to delve deeper into the social
conditions that characterized the period when these
research programmes came into being, and to consider
the inflow and outflow of researchers in the field.