‘Sustainable development’ is analysed as a product of the Modernist tradition, in which social criticism and understanding are legitimized against a background of evolutionary theory, scientific specialization, and rapid economic growth. Within this tradition, sustainable development emphasizes the need to live within ecological limits, but allows the retention of an essentially optimistic idea of progress. However, the inherent contradictions in the concept of sustainable development may lead to rejection of the Modernist view in favour of a new vision of the world in which the authority of science and technology is questioned and more emphasis is placed on cultural diversity.
CooperD.E. and PalmerJ.A.1992. The Environment in Question.London, Routledge.
3.
de VriesH.J.M.1989. Sustainable Development.Groningen, Netherlands.
4.
DoyalL. and GoughI.1991. A Theory of Human Need.London, Macmillan.
5.
EkinsP. and Max-NeefM. (eds.) 1992. Real-life Economics.London, Routledge.
6.
ElsonD. and RedcliftN.1992. Gender and Sustainable Development.London, Overseas Development Agency.
7.
EngelsF.1970. “Introduction to the dialectics of nature”. In Selected Works, edited by MarxK. and EngelsF. (one volume). London, Lawrence and Wishart.
8.
FraserN. and NicholsonL.J.1990. “Social criticism without philosophy: an encounter between Feminism and Postmodernism”. In Feminism/Postmodernism, edited by NicholsonLinda JNew York and London, Routledge.
9.
GlackenC.1973. Traces on the Rhodian Shore. University of California Press.
10.
GleickJ.1988. Chaos: Making a New Science.London, Heinemann.
11.
HodgsonG.1992. “Rationality and the influence of institutions”. In Real-life Economics, edited by EkinsP. and Max-NeefM., pp. 40–8. London, Routledge.
12.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)1991. Caring for the Earth.Gland, Switzerland, IUCN/UNEP/WWF.
13.
JacobsM.1990. The Green Economy.London, Pluto Press.
14.
Levi-StraussC.1958. Race and History.UNESCO, Paris.
15.
LyotardJ.1984. The Postmodern Condition.University of Minnesota Press.
16.
MerchantC.1980. The Death of Nature.New York, Harper and Row.
17.
OdumH.E.1971. Environment, Power and Society.New York, John Wiley.
18.
PearceD., BarbierE. and MarkandyaA.1989. Sustainable Development: Economics and Environment in the Third World.London, Earthscan.
19.
RedcliftM.R.1987. Sustainable Development: Exploring the Contradictions.London, Methuen.
20.
SklairL.1970. The Theory of Progress.London, Routledge and Kegan Paul.
21.
WCED (World Commission for Environment and Development)1987. Our Common Future.Oxford University Press.
22.
WCS1980. World Conservation Strategy.Gland, Switzerland, IUCN/UNEP/WWF.
