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Development and sustainability
How societies pursue human well-being while confronting inequality and environmental limits.
Development and Sustainability explores how societies attempt to improve human well-being while responding to economic inequality, political challenges, social divisions and environmental limits.
Development is a contested concept. It may be understood as economic growth, improved living standards, stronger institutions, greater freedom, reduced poverty or increased human well-being. Different actors may disagree about what development should achieve, how it should be measured and whether one model can be applied across different societies.
Sustainability is also contested. The unit examines environmental, economic and social sustainability, as well as responsibility towards future generations. It asks whether continuous economic growth can be maintained without creating long-term environmental or social harm.
You will study the roles of governments, public agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, multinational companies, civil society, grassroots initiatives and communities most affected by development policies. You will examine how unequal power can influence who makes decisions, who receives benefits and who carries the costs.
The notes also examine measurements of development and inequality, different pathways towards development, factors that support or obstruct progress, the effects of globalization, the Sustainable Development Goals and alternative approaches such as degrowth, post-development and community-led development.
This thematic study has been organized into fifteen notes. Together, they connect definitions, actors, policies, measurements, debates and contemporary cases to the Core concepts of power, sovereignty, legitimacy and interdependence.
Fifteen notes for the Development and Sustainability thematic study
Development and Sustainability has been organized into the fifteen notes below.
| No. | Note title | Notes | Slides | Audio | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Check this | ||||
| 1 | Contested Meanings of Development | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 2 | Dimensions of Development | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 3 | Contested Meanings of Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 4 | Poverty, Inequality and Marginalization | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 5 | States, Governments and Public Agencies | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 6 | Intergovernmental Organizations and International Financial Institutions | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 7 | Multinational and Transnational Companies | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 8 | Civil Society and Grassroots Initiatives | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 9 | Marginalized, Vulnerable and Most-Affected Groups | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 10 | Measuring Development, Poverty, Inequality and Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 11 | Pathways Towards Development and Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 12 | Factors Affecting Development and Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 13 | The Relationship Between Development and Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 14 | Globalization, Development and Sustainability | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 15 | Sustainable Development Goals and Alternative Approaches | Detailed notes | Coming soon | Coming soon | Coming soon |
| 16 | Revision | Here |
Extra YouTube channels
These optional channels can help students follow contemporary political issues, encounter different perspectives and connect the thematic study to current examples.
Recommended channels will be added here.
External videos are supplementary resources. Their arguments, evidence and perspectives should be examined critically and should not replace the course notes.
https://youtu.be/2E7Ql_bUrYg?si=L12oRVYt1EIaKk-2
https://youtu.be/9lnKAj-ZHF0?si=NWwIF417w-6gkTCX