Sustainable Development - Differing Perspectives of Ecologists and Economists, and Relevance to Ldcs

Abstract The claim is now widely that it is desirable to aim for a sustainable society, for sustainable economic development and for sustainable productive systems. This reflects the outlook of ecologists rather than the majority of economists, although a small group of economists does see particular virtue in sustainability. The outlook of ecologists is illustrated by Conway's criteria for assessing the desirability of agricultural systems. This approach, is shown to involve several unresolved conceptual issues. This leads to a discussion of the policy of a safe minimum standard as proposed by some economists and the critique of expected utility and risk-benefit analysis by Page and MacLean and whether this might provide a bridge between the views of economists and ecologists. A basis is established for considering whether sustainability of productive systems is likely to be a more important goal in less developed countries than in developed countries. Further examples of the stress of ecologists on the production sustainability goal are given and additional policy prescriptions, for instance, involving nomadism and transhumance, are discussed.

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