The politics of sustainable development: Global norms for national implementation

Abstract

The idea of sustainable development has survived nearly a decade of rhetorical excess and academic criticism. From the Brundtland report to Agenda 21, it has remained the central goal and guiding norm of environment‐and‐development politics. Though an essentially contested concept, it retains a widespread moral appeal. This is possibly due to the concept's dual ethical foundation. By giving expression to both ‘realist’ (natural‐law) and ‘consensualist’ (democratic) norms, it can claim support with respect to a broad spectrum of moral imperatives. The potential of the idea as a mobilising force for domestic political change lies in a combination of scientifically‐based moral urgency and a near‐unanimous global acclamation. In addition, the politics of the UNCED process provide new and effective arenas for an emerging global civil society at a time of declining influence for national interest groups. The potential for change is illustrated by a descriptive analysis of the follow‐up to the Rio Summit in the area of ‘sustainable production and consumption’.