The Paradox of Sustainable Development: A Critical Overview of the Term and the Institutionalization Process

Abstract

Although the concept of sustainable development is not new it has acquired new impetus since early 80s, becoming one of the most debated and written subjects in the recent years. Intellectuals as well as ordinary mortals all across the globe are engaged in this debate. United Nations, international agencies, NGOs, national institutions, governments and civil societies are actively participating in this intense debate. Purpose of this paper is to bring out the concept and paradox of sustainable development, to provide a brief overview of global negotiations on this subject, to have a look at the prevailing ground realities despite plethora of negotiations and declarations and to highlight simple truths of human behaviour based on ancient wisdom. Most of these simple truths have remained obscured under the shadow of plethora of documents and declarations written in highly technical and unintelligible jargons.