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Justifying Sustainability

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Author Info

  • Asheim, G.B.
  • Buchholz, W.
  • Tungodden, B.

Abstract

In the framework of ethical social choice theory, sustainability is justified by Efficiency and Equity as ethical axioms. These axioms correspond to the Suppes-Sen Grading principle. In technologies that are productive in a certain sense, the set of Suppes-Sen maximal utility paths is shown to equal the set of non-decreasing and efficient paths. Since any such path is sustainable, Efficiency and Equity can thus be used to deem any unsustainable path as ethically unacceptable. This finding is contrasted with results that seem to indicate that an infinite number of generations cannot be treated equally.

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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration- in its series Papers with number 5/99.

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Length: 24 pages
Date of creation: 1999
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:fth:norgee:5/99

Contact details of provider:
Postal: NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, HELLEVEIEN 30, 5035 BERGEN SANDVIKEN NORWAY.
Phone: 5595 9000
Fax: 5595 9100
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Web page: http://www.nhh.no/
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Keywords: SOCIAL WELFARE ; ENVIRONMENT ; EFFICIENCY;

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References

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  1. Chichilnisky, Graciela, 1995. "An axiomatic approach to sustainable development," MPRA Paper 8609, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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  5. repec:fth:louvco:9663 is not listed on IDEAS
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