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Sustainable Development as Concept and Norm

In: Towards Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • William M. Lafferty
  • Oluf Langhelle

Abstract

The idea of sustainable development has survived nearly a decade of rhetorical excess and academic criticism. From the Brundtland Report Our Common Future to Agenda 21, it has remained the central goal and guiding norm of environment-and-development politics. Though an ‘essentially contested concept’, it retains a widespread moral appeal. This is possibly due to the concept’s dual ethical foundation. By giving expression to both ‘realist’ (natural-law) and ‘consensualist’ (democratic) norms, it can claim support with respect to a broad spectrum of moral imperatives. The potential of the idea as a mobilising force for domestic political change lies in a combination of scientifically based moral urgency and a near-unanimous global acclamation. In addition, the politics of the UNCED process provide new and effective arenas for an emerging global civil society at a time of declining influence for national interest groups.

Suggested Citation

  • William M. Lafferty & Oluf Langhelle, 1999. "Sustainable Development as Concept and Norm," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: William M. Lafferty & Oluf Langhelle (ed.), Towards Sustainable Development, chapter 1, pages 1-29, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-37879-7_1
    DOI: 10.1057/9780230378797_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Thorey S Thorisdottir & Lara Johannsdottir, 2020. "Corporate Social Responsibility Influencing Sustainability within the Fashion Industry. A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-64, November.
    2. Holden, Erling & Linnerud, Kristin & Banister, David, 2013. "Sustainable passenger transport: Back to Brundtland," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 67-77.
    3. Erling Holden & Kristin Linnerud, 2007. "The sustainable development area: satisfying basic needs and safeguarding ecological sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(3), pages 174-187.
    4. Hosang Jung, 2017. "Evaluation of Third Party Logistics Providers Considering Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-18, May.

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