disekonomioj

Disekonomioj is a theoretical framework used primarily within the Esperanto‑speaking academic community to critique economic practices that deviate from efficient resource allocation. The term combines the Esperanto root “ekonomia” (economic) with the prefix “dis‑,” indicating separation or negation, and refers to a state where economic processes produce outputs that are not aligned with societal needs, create wasteful consumption, disproportionate inequality, or systemic inefficiency. It is often contrasted with “ekonomio,” which emphasizes optimal use of inputs.

The concept emerged in the 1970s during a wave of Esperanto intellectuals writing on global development and sustainability. Influenced by Marxist and ecological‑economics literature, scholars employed “disekonomio” to highlight how capitalist production can create externalities that harm the environment and social welfare. It also critiques technocratic interventions that ignore local knowledge or cultural values, stressing that technology alone cannot guarantee equitable outcomes. In contemporary discussions the term appears in analyses of digital economies, ride‑share models, and shared‑resource platforms that exhibit short‑lived profits but long‑term resource depletion.

Identifying a disekonomio often involves measuring distortions in price signals, unequal distribution of income, and environmental cost externalities. Remedies proposed include policy reforms, progressive taxation, public ownership of essential services, and participatory planning. While the term is rarely used in mainstream economics, it continues to circulate in Esperanto‑language economics journals, online forums, and conference proceedings where scholars debate sustainable policy making.