Decision Processes and Decision-making in Relation to Sustainable Development and Democracy – Where Do we Stand?

Abstract

A number of approaches to decision processes and decision-making have been proposed. These include Cost-Benefit Analysis, Multi-Criteria Approaches, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Positional Analysis (as a form of Systems Approach). While these all claim to be useful in illuminating or solving specific problems related to environment and development, the meta-level question remains – how do we choose among approaches to decision-making? Is there a meta-approach to the choice among approaches?

While not claiming to give the final answer, I hope that the question will at least be illuminated here. Each approach is related to criteria such as theory of science, paradigm, ideology, ways of dealing with sustainable development and democracy. This information is summarized in a profile for each method. The profiles are then used to discuss the pros and cons of different methods. It is concluded that CBA does not very well match the criteria suggested while the three other methods, each have something to offer.