Theories of Sustainable Development

Peterson Ozili

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: This article presents new theories of sustainable development. The need for new theories of sustainable development arises from the need to explain the attitudes and various dispositions towards the sustainable development agenda. Five theories of sustainable development are presented, namely, the extinction avoidance theory of sustainable development, the collective stewardship theory of sustainable development, the rogue agent theory of sustainable development, the divine intervention and providence theory of sustainable development, and the resource-resilient world theory of sustainable development. These theories articulate the unspoken philosophy or paradigms regarding the need for sustainable development and who should be responsible for achieving sustainable development. These unspoken philosophy or paradigms have the power to move people to take action towards sustainable development or to do nothing about it, or to oppose the sustainable development agenda. Scholars, policy makers and researchers will find these theories useful in their work in sustainable development.

Keywords: sustainable development; theories of sustainable development; sustainable development goal; extinction avoidance theory; collective stewardship theory; rogue agent theory; divine intervention and providence theory; resource-resilient world theory; SDGs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q00 Q01 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env and nep-pke
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