Sustainable Development, Postmodern Capitalism, and Environmental Policy and Management in Costa Rica

Abstract

This article examines Costa Rica’s implementation of the Agenda 21 sustainable development policies formulated at the Earth Summits in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and Johannesburg in 2002. Arguably, the potential threat to sustainable development policies in Costa Rica can be identified in the phenomenon of postmodern capitalism. Nevertheless, in attempting to minimize this threat, Costa Rica, through public and non‐profit organizations, has implemented participative democratic models promoting civil discourse and a sense of national ownership and pride in its sustainable development policies.