Suchergebnisse

THE ARTICLE EXAMINES THREE DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES WHICH APPEAR TO BE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH NATIONAL EFFORTS TO ENGAGE WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS ARGUED THAT THESE PHENOMENA REQUIRE SERIOUS ATTENTION FROM POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

Over the past decade European political leaders have increasingly come to refer to 'sustainable development' as a legitimate focus of government activity. Starting from the premises that sustainable development is a complex and contested ideal, and that experiences with state planning in the twentieth century have been deeply ambiguous, this article reflects on the insights which political science can shed on the new social project of 'planning for sustainable development'. The discussion centres on three relevant political science literatures - meta critiques of planning, 'new governance' debates, and enquiries into policy related learning. Consideration of these perspectives suggest that to the extent that it is possible for 'planning for sustainable development' to attain its declared objectives this will depend upon the integration of sustainable development norms into existing planning structures and modalities, the extensive development of co-operative management initiatives, and vigorous debates about alternative futures. Coordination among the inevitably disjointed and partially contradictory efforts of multiple agencies will rely upon the integrative potential of the sustainable development norm, central government initiatives, and collision, negotiation and mutual adjustment. (European Journal of Political Research / FUB)

THOUGH MANY CRITICS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCED) WAS A FAILURE, THIS ARTICLE CONTENDS THAT AT LEAST FIVE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS RESULTED FROM UNCED AND FROM RIO'S EARTH SUMMIT. SOME OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE INSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND ADJUSTMENT, A SUBSTANTIAL OPENING OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM TO INCREASED PARTICIPATION BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL SOCIAL ACTORS, AND AN ALTERED PERCEPTION OF DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THE ARTICLE ALSO FINDS FAULT WITH THE POPULAR IDEA THAT UNTIL RECENTLY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES LIVED IN BLISSFUL HARMONY WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, AND ONLY WITH "MODERNITY" HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS BEEN PREVALENT.