Operationalising Strong Sustainability: Definitions, Methodologies and Outcomes
Abstract
While acknowledging the absence of a single definition or theory of sustainability, this paper argues that a discussion of sustainability which refers only to definitions is pointless without an understanding of how the definitions are operationalised. In this context, the paper considers the operationalisation of strong sustainability. The definitions and operationalisation of strong sustainability most closely associated with (i) neoclassical environmental economics and (ii) ecological economics are discussed and compared. This analysis raises questions about the extent to which ecological economics has been able to influence real-world decisions and policy. The paper ends by considering whether the economic and political power structure taken as given by ecological economics is compatible with its policy perspective.Download Info
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Bibliographic Info
Article provided by White Horse Press in its journal Environmental Values.
Volume (Year): 13 (2004)
Issue (Month): 3 (August)
Pages: 279-303
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Web page: http://www.erica.demon.co.uk
Related research
Keywords: Strong sustainability; ecological economics; critical natural capital;Find related papers by JEL classification:
- Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
- Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
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Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.Cited by:
- Glendining, M.J. & Dailey, A.G. & Williams, A.G. & Evert, F.K. van & Goulding, K.W.T. & Whitmore, A.P., 2009. "Is it possible to increase the sustainability of arable and ruminant agriculture by reducing inputs?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 99(2-3), pages 117-125, February.
- William Konchak & Unai Pascual, 2005. "Converging Paradigms for a Co-evolutionary Environmental Limit Discourse," Environmental Economy and Policy Research Working Papers 14.2005, University of Cambridge, Department of Land Economics, revised 2005.
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