Week 1: Lecture 1: Introduction to governance and sustainability

Question 1

what is sustainable development?

Answer 1

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromiisng the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 2

what is governance in the context of sustainability ?

Answer 2

governance involves decision-making across multiple levels including
- institutions
- the private sector
- civil society
with a shift towards the private sector influence the 1980s.

Question 3

What distinguishes governance from government?

Answer 3

Governance is process involving various actors,(also the state, intitutions,etc) not only the governmet.

Question 4

How has governance evolved since the 1980s?

Answer 4

Shifted from being
state-centered
to
multilevel
(inclusive of the private sector)
-> influenced by neoliberal policices

Question 5

What change occurred in governance with neoliberalism?

Answer 5

the introduction of self-regulation and voluntary schemes, reducing direct government regulatory control.

Question 6

What is the difference between a state and a government?

Answer 6

state encompasses: government, citizens, and companies.
Government : primary public institution.

Question 7

How do the SGDs differ from previous governance models?

Answer 7

The SDGs promote a governance model that allows individual countries more freedom, avoiding top-down regulation.

Question 8

What criticism exists regarding the SDGs as solutions?

Answer 8

The SDGs identify real issues but may not provide effective solutions due to their non-binding nature

Question 9

What is the genealogy of development as per Truman’s Inaugural Address?

Answer 9

Post-WWII, the U.S. wanted to stimulate economic growth, by:
developping global markets and spread technical knowledge.

Question 10

What were the post-WWII development eras?

Answer 10

1) Keynesianism (1944-1978) with strong government roles, and
2) Neoliberalism (1978-present) emphasizing free markets.

Question 11

Which international institutions emerged post-WWII?

Answer 11

1) United Nations
2) World Bank
3) International Monetary Fund

Question 12

the main characteristics of mainstream sustainable development?

Answer 12

• promotes market driven sustainability
• Supports green capitalism
• often downplays environmental limits