On the Politics of Sustainability a Long Way Ahead EEAC, the Way Ahead in the Light of the Last Five Years

Tim O’Riordan

Abstract

Determining policy for three generations ahead is difficult at the best of times. Society likes future thinking, but does not have the governing institutions to carry out long term preparation. If we layer in sustainability then the task becomes almost insurmountable. Sustainability makes very special demands. It requires us to live within the bounds of nature’s tolerances and to observe the value of ecosystem processes. Yet we neither have the science nor the capacity to adapt to such strictures. Also we will have to observe the rights of social justice and fairness if we are to create a society that cares for others and for the betterment of the planet. Since we are not too good at providing for distributional justice nowadays, then this objective will also be daunting.

This paper takes all of these matters into consideration. It suggests that we need a vision of a sustainable economy and society so that we devise policy assessment procedures that enable governments and electorates to plan for long term eventualities. This will in turn a resurgence of virtue and responsibility both on the part of citizens and also of governments.

We are passing through unprecedented times. Globalisation limits national action just when local scale sustainable endeavours are more effective and meaningful. Revamping the governing of the EU will be very tricky when the speeds and positioning of development are so very varied amongst member states and the recession bites into optimism for the forseeable future.

But we cannot let go of the need to plan for sustainable futures, even when the going gets tough. This paper offers some scope for moving forward, but recognises that the stakes maybe just be too high.