On the Notion of Sustainability

When it comes to sustainability, there is an error we are likely to make. This error takes the form of thinking that we can first discuss “the concept of economy”, or whatever it is that may be made sustainable, ignoring specific issues of sustainability; then, in a second step we can simply add on to that initial analysis a further discussion of what kind of economies are sustainable and what kind are not. One might then simply go on to generalise this procedure thereby producing parallel treatments of sustainable politics, sustainable nourishment, sustainable partnerships, architecture, education, gardening, sports and so on. However, on my view this is a mistaken way to proceed. This way makes one liable to a serious substantive misunderstanding both of the concepts involved in this discussion and of some of the practical demands we will face if we are to try to engage seriously with the issues our current economic problems pose for us.