Abstract
ABSTRACTFor over two decades, the concept of sustainable development has been salient in political discourse. But its promise of reconciling economic development, social welfare, and environmental sustainability has proven rather elusive. In recent years, we've seen numerous competing concepts emerge in debates about sustainable economic development. While many advance ideas of a green economy and green growth, others talk about wellbeing, gross national happiness, inclusive wealth, harmony with nature, de-growth, steady-state economy, and buenvivir (living well). This rhetorical diversity shows that there is no single vision for reconciling environmental sustainability and economic development. But the varied terminology itself obscures actual points of agreement and disagreement. This article reports on a bilingual ‘Q study’ of international debates about sustainable economic development. It reveals that three discourses underpin these debates: Radical Transformationism; Cooperative Reformism; and Statist Progressivism. The article dissects these discourses and contextualizes their key points of contention in wider sustainability debates over the past two decades.
Highlights
The concept of ‘sustainable development’ has had a long career
While many advance ideas of a green economy and green growth, others talk about wellbeing, gross national happiness, inclusive wealth, harmony with nature, de-growth, steady-state economy, and buenvivir
The statistical analysis and interpretation described in the preceding section produced the following set of discourses of green political economy
Summary
The concept of ‘sustainable development’ has had a long career. Introduced by the Brundtland Commission in 1987, the term was quickly embraced in the global North and South by policy-makers and civil society alike. It has established a firm footing in national and international policy agendas, international negotiations, and political and popular discourse. Promising to reconcile environmental sustainability, social welfare, and economic development, the allure of this concept is understood. Throughout its 30-year career, this promise has on the whole proven elusive. There have been development achievements to celebrate
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have