Sustainability, Economic Growth and Development Theory

The notion of 'sustainable development' assumes that development can be made viable in an ecological. social and economic sense. Empirical analysis demonstrates that reductionist approaches to development are inadequate, as is demonstrated here by an analysis of the work done on the relationship between economic growth and environmental pressure. Growth does not in itself ensure sustainability, just as it does not inherently enhance equity. Hence, economic growth cannot be equated to sustainable development. or be expected to automatically enhance sustainability. Sustainability issues arise from the dynamics (including the impacts) of processes of change. Development studies should incorporate analyses of a range of socially and economically relevant processes at the interface between society and the natural environment from a broad perspective of social change. A merging of development studies (with their traditional concerns with issues of poverty and equity) and a political economic approach to environment is argued for Pointers are provided of what this might entail in terms of new directions for research