Sustainable Development: a polyphonic concept in constant disputes and resulting re-significations

The term "sustainable development" has gained ground in various sectors, including the business sphere; however, its usage often tends to be reductionist and overly simplistic. Therefore, the objective of the article is to problematize different conceptions of sustainable development. Meth...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Gregolin, Marcos Roberto, Gregolin, Graciela Caroline, Wizniewsky, Jose Geraldo, Souza, Renato Santos de
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2023
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repository:Revista Eletrônica Competências Digitais para Agricultura Familiar
Language:Portuguese
OAI Identifier:oai:codaf.tupa.unesp.br:8082:article/160
Online Access:https://owl.tupa.unesp.br/recodaf/index.php/recodaf/article/view/160
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Desenvolvimento Sustentável
Sustentabilidade
Discursos
Sustainable development
Sustainability
Speechs
Desarrollo Sostenible
Sostenibilidad
Description
Summary:The term "sustainable development" has gained ground in various sectors, including the business sphere; however, its usage often tends to be reductionist and overly simplistic. Therefore, the objective of the article is to problematize different conceptions of sustainable development. Methodologically, this study is characterized as an intentional literature review that starts from the notes of Caporal e Costabeber (2000), Escobar (1995) e Veiga (2006) and in the following, it expands to other authors who complement the discussion on the distinct conceptions and “voices” of sustainable development. From this review, we classify the report 'Our Common Future' as an expression of ecotechnocratic vision, as it is supported by a neoliberal ideology closely linked to capitalism and, although it references the environment, it does so in a peripheral or instrumental manner. Meanwhile, ecosocial thinking highlights the importance of solidarity, culture, ecology, and ethics. We assume that sustainable development is a polyphonic term, and in many of its uses, it reinforces a discourse of domination, exploitation, and subordination to the current socioeconomic model. Therefore, recognizing the different notions and intentions of the term is necessary to avoid its misuse, being able to use it safely and with an understanding of its origin, whatever it may be.