Original scientific paper
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL CHANGE. Contribution to the re-conceptualizing of present-day type of development
Vladimir Lay
; Institute of Social Research, Zagreb
Abstract
The subject of this article is the concept of sustainable development and social changes based on the gradual achieving (attaining) the degree of that type of development. We may assume that the concept of industrial development which was taking into account unlimited spending of natural riches - reserves came to an end, while the concept of sustainable development (the manner and tempo of development are in relation of subordination with the protection of physical and natural basis of life) is the concept that opens the doors out of the global ecological cul-desac. It is also taken as theoretical basis for the defining of pro-ecological or counter-ecological orientation and practice of the actors.
The first part of the article summarizes the elaboration of the role of sciences (humanistic and social) in conceptualizing and functioning of the concept. The second part represents the analysis of the term sustainable development and is explaining the values of the concept. The third part represents the systematical survey of social changes in social and technical subsystems which represent the necessary presumption for putting the development concept to life. The last part deals with the defining of pro-ecological and counter-ecological attitudes and behaviours founded on criteria the concept "sustainable development" implies.
The change of the attitude towards the natural riches - reserves and biosphere as the basical woof of the life and development is the central criterion for the re-conceptualizing of the present day type of development as well as the basic criterion for defining on the type of ecological orientation and practice. A number of criteria of sustainability have bee presented in the essay, and they can be the initial element to stimulate function of the national strategy for the sustainable development.
Keywords
social development; social changes; ecological orientations; sustainable development; sustainability
Hrčak ID:
136606
URI
Publication date:
15.1.1992.
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