Original scientific paper
On the Value System as a Precondition for Sustainability: An Overview of Preliminary Survey Results for Slovenia
Redek Tjaša
; Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ograjenšek Irena
; Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Kostevc Črt
; Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Uroš Godnov
; Faculty of Management, Koper, Slovenia
Abstract
The Brundtland report (1987) defi ned sustainable development as a form of development
which “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs’’. Given that the concept of sustainable development closely
links the desire for the development of a harmonious society aimed at higher welfare,
social cohesion and environmental protection, it requires a shift in values of the society;
a shift towards more aware, compashionate, better human. This further requires a shift in
consumption and production patterns. We examine the readiness of Slovenian population
to support the implementation of more sustainable patterns by examining their values system.
The survey based analyis stems from the theoretical concept of happiness, a stream of
economics, beginning in the 1970s with the Easterlin paradox. In the article we effectively
demonstrate that Slovenian population is in many aspects very traditional. Given that the
value system of the general public drives the politicians, this can act as a strong driver
towards or against implementation of changes that would support sustainability.
Keywords
values; happiness determinants; sustainable development; ecology
Hrčak ID:
98277
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2012.
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