# Economic Gravity **Domain:** Economics, Political Economy **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Classification:** Infrastructure Concept **Maturity:** Evolving **Related:** [[Economic Systems]], [[Extractive Capitalism]], [[Equity Frameworks]], [[Equilibrium Structures]] --- ## Definition A **concept describing how economic incentives, capital concentration, and market logic inexorably pull institutions, policies, and societies toward extractive, accumulative, or unsustainable patterns** despite explicit commitments to alternatives. Economic logic creates a gravitational field. --- ## General Context Economic gravity describes why renewable energy companies maximize profit rather than environmental benefit, why climate finance becomes investment vehicles, and why net-zero commitments survive despite contradictory fossil fuel expansion. --- ## Financial Systems Context Climate finance institutions, despite equity mandates, are pulled toward commercial terms, risk-adjusted returns, and profitable projects by underlying economic incentive structures. --- ## Key Insight Economic gravity is not inevitable but rather reflects institutional design that prioritizes accumulation. Alternative institutional designs could create different incentives, but they require power to implement. --- ## See Also [[Financial Markets Modeling]], [[Ecological Constraint]]