Clark, John G. 1995. "Economic Development vs. Sustainable Societies: Reflections on the Players in a Crucial Contest." Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 26: 225-48.

Summary:

Clark begins by reviewing several definitions of sustainable development, including that of the WCED, various economists, ecologists and humanists. He is critical of neo-Classical economists and of others who rely on technological development to offset environmental problems. He argues that "people involved in common property systems participate closely in its operation, cooperate to ward off external threats to their resources, and normally recognize the desirability of a steady-state society" (p. 234). However, governments appear to be unwilling to empower their citizens; therefore, "the crisis shaking the world is not environmental but political" (p. 236).

Part of the problem, Clark argues, is that scientists do not devote enough research time and resources to tackle applied issues: "Communities, counties, and states - perhaps less alluring stages - urgently need good applied science to defend their environments" (p. 236). Further, "ecologists possess dynamic potential to nudge polities in the proper directions if they would loosen the self-imposed bonds of scientific objectivity" (p. 238).

Keywords: sustainable development, environmental degradation, natural capital, ecological sustainability, commons systems