Political Economy is an interdisciplinary field that investigates the relationships between political, economic, and social processes in order to understand, explain, and optimize the allocation and utilization of the Earth's resources. It is based on the notion that political, economic, and social actions are influenced by their interconnectedness with each other and with the environment, and requires an understanding of the systemic, complex, and long-term dynamics of these processes. Its focus is to identify solutions that optimize the allocation of resources and maximize social welfare, while also recognize the consequences of political or economic activities on ecosystems, environment, and future generations.

See also: economic system, fossil fuel, neoclassical economics, global economy, income inequality