Social-Political Sustainability - The Human Element

It is commonly accepted that the project ofpeoples, but further than this it is concerned with
sustainable development is conceptually composedthe state of their civil society. Social-political
of three constituent parts. These parts are (1)sustainability is differentiated from pure social
environmental sustainability, (2) economicdevelopment in that its sphere is expanded
sustainability, and (3) social-political sustainability.beyond the employment of simply monetary
The United Nations 2005 World Summit refers tomeans. Social-political development entails not only
the "interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars"the engagement of institutional mechanisms, but
of sustainable development as environmentalalso their modification and advancement.
protection, economic development and socialSocial-political sustainability thus seeks pathways
development. The interdependency of the firstto durable social enrichment and development via
two is evident; it is perhaps the greatest challengethe vibrancy and health of a society's political
of our time to satisfy the needs and wants ofprocesses. At its core, there ultimately is little
burgeoning populations within the bindingmore than an absolute faith in the functioning of
constraints imposed by our physical environment.liberal democracy. Despite the frequent changing
But what is this great hoopla about socialof the guard and the potential for policy
development and sustainability of politics, anddiscontinuity this entails, it is believed that
what exactly is its place?representative republican government bolstered
If environmental protection is concerned with theby mass public awareness and participation
preservation of our natural environment andprovides the best model of a sustainable body
resources, and economic sustainability ispolitic.
concerned with seeking durable growth solutionsIn addition to social policy, environmental and
therein, then the social-political sphere can beeconomic policies are clearly dictated in the political
thought of as representative of the more purelyrealm as well. It is in the creed of the sustainability
human element in the equation. Socialproject to hold that healthy political bodies which
development and social-political sustainability areare truly representative of the collective will can
intimately related concepts but they are not inshow us the path forward. Recognition of the
fact entirely interchangeable. It is important thatstrain to our natural environment that
we understand their symbiotic relationship and itsunrestrained industrialization and consumption have
implications for the broader sustainability project.brought depends upon it.
Social development is a concept that is familiar toThe French political thinker and historian Alexis de
most of us in its many and varying forms. WithinTocqueville long ago warned Americans that their
any given society there are opportunities topolitical structure (and indeed that of all
improve and enrich each of its composite parts indemocracies) could fall hostage to a "tyranny of
many ways. Of sometimes greater importance isthe majority". To illustrate the weight of these
the need to harmonize relations amongst thesewords, consider a scenario in which a pluralistic
various and sometimes opposing elements. Thosepolitical majority were unwilling to adopt legislation
actively engaged in the process of socialwhich combatively addresses climate change
development include agents acting within itsissues, while the autocratic but highly
institutions to effect change via establishedenvironmentalist ruler of another nation
channels. Of more notice, however, are oftenprosecuted an aggressive climate change agenda
those who act from the outside, those whowith gusto. In the face of peril, such a situation
reject the society's institutions as inadequate, andwould revive human moral and ethical dilemmas of
who advocate wholesale social and political changethe highest order.
as the only true path to social enrichment andFaith in democracy and the ideologies it espouses
development.transcends the purely political arena. In a free and
It is in this transformational role that we begin towealthy society, those in the pursuit of scientific
touch on the realm of social-political sustainability.truth battle only scientific obstacles. If the danger
Within any given social context, socialis real, the truth will be brought to bear. But even
development can be pursued with the simplein the face of incontrovertible truth, can the titanic
granting of budgets. Financial and human resourcesinertia of human complacency and comfort be
are utilized to strengthen and enrich societies byovercome and conquered?
improving educational opportunities, by embracingMany scientific and economic authorities now
the marginalized and the forgotten, by makingbelieve that emissions caps are insufficient in the
improvements to healthcare and hygienicbattle against climate change. They call for a
conditions and by endearing knowledge of financialmassive mobilization of public funds for
and entrepreneurial activities to name just a few.investment in research with the goal of
Here, the distinguishing feature of socialdiscovering new low-carbon-emissions
development is that it is executed within thetechnologies, and this on the scale of the
institutional mechanisms and constraints prevailingManhattan Project that delivered the first atomic
in that given entity.bombs.
Social-political sustainability too is very muchWe will be watching. This, folks, is nothing less
concerned with physical and material standing ofthan a test of social-political sustainability in action.