Sustainable development and post-development Flashcards
what kind of theories are sustainable development and post-development?
critical theories in response to inclusive liberalism and neo-developmentalism (1990s - present)
what aspects do sustainable development and post-development share?
- both look at negative pasects of modernization and development (industrialization -> pollution; agriculture intensification -> soil depletion)
- globalization’s inequalities
- ask fundamental questions about modernity and development as concepts
what is the feminist critical arguments on development?
- meaning of dev is conditioned by male norms of growth (dominating nature)
- ‘mother nature’ idea -> rise of eco feminism
- dev policies aren’t gender neutral and result in gender inequality
inspired by rise of post-dev
what is a stationary state?
zero-growth
what does the pessimistic/radical perspective argue on the environmental issues?
- the limits of the planet (resources) will be reached
- must radically alter development
- neoliberalism causes this:
(a) transfer polluting industries to developing world
(b) lengthen the food chain
(c) transport waste to developing world
what does the optimistic perspective argue on the environmental issues? (neoliberalism/modernization)
- new scientific tech will solve env problems
- constant natural, physical, human capital -> can have growth
- use adapted Kuznet’s curve to say (/-): as per capita income increases, env degradation will increase
but after a certain threshold, the env degradation will decrease again
how did sustainable development emerge?
- different type of growth needed
- meeting the needs of present w/o compromising needs of future generations
- Brundtland Report (1987): created concept of sustainable dev
what are the core ideas of sustainable dev?
- avoid inappropriate tech
- examine local conditions and knowledge
- look at global consequences of local action
what is weak vs strong sustainability?
weak: decrease in a natural resources if compensated by other forms of capital
strong: no decrease at all in natural resources/capital
what are the dimensions of sustainable dev?
- economic: ensure growth necessary to satisfy needs and create long-term welfare
- environment: protect env, conserve resources, stay within limits
- social: social justice by distribution, equality of opportunity and access to resources
- institutional (Brundtland Report): include env in decision-making through public participation
what is the implication of the multiple dimensions of sustainable dev?
the triple bottom line
env - social - econ triangle
- should create econ prosperity, promote env and social justice
what are the advs and disadvs of expanding sustainable dev to multiple aspects?
advs: - interconnections - allows holistic perspective disadvs: - not precise; difficult agreement and translation into policies
what are the radical critiques towards sustainable dev?
radical critiques:
- still growth paradigm (demand for both growth and env protection in developing countries are contradicting)
- ignores constraints of pol and econ power structures)
- narrative of sad conditions simultaneously reflect existing power relations and equities?
According to Sneddon et al., how can global solutions be achieved regarding env issues?
- adopt a pluralist (intergov orgs, global civil society) + transdisciplinary approach
- retrieve central normative ideas of sustainable dev (vs. tech)
- emphasize processes of social and pol change through notions of participation (deliberative dem)
How influential is sustainable dev?
- numerous int conferences and institutions
-> IFI adoption in policies (WB), MNCs incorporating, NGO lobbying… - some concrete conventions and regimes
- but: too little achieved due to lack of pol will
(another card)
