Sustainable Development

<i>Can there be a common definition of sustainable development?</i><br /> <p>Views on sustainable development range from those of the mainstream economist to the hardened environmentalist – via many shades of green. This book offers a clear overview of the debates and sets out the various theories, providing an accessible introduction for all who now need to understand how sustainable development affects their working practices.<br /> </p> <p>The text is structured around key questions on the concept of sustainable development:<br /> </p> <ul> <li style=”list-style: none”><br /> </li> <li>Does it define a starting point, a process, or the end-goal?<br /> </li> <li>Can it provide a coherent theory?<br /> </li> <li>Is it a workable concept in practice?<br /> </li> <li>Is it ‘balanced’ or does ‘balance’ form part of the solution?</li> </ul> <br /> <p>Mark Mawhinney explores the various strands of thought that claim to define sustainable development – as a concept, a theory or as a set of principles. He also highlights gaps in understanding that often arise and attempts to break down the barriers to a common understanding – redefining current concepts in terms that will help to progress the debate on sustainable development.</p>