Fairness and Futurity : Essays on Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice

## Abstract Contributors to this edited book consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice. If future generations are owed justice, what should we bequeath them? Is ‘sustainability’ an appropriate medium for environmentalists to express their demands? Is environmental protection compatible with justice within generations? Is environmental sustainability a luxury when social peace has broken down? The contested nature of sustainable development is considered––is it a useful concept at all any longer? Is it reconcilable with capital accumulation? Liberal––particularly Rawlsian––and socialist notions of justice are tested against the demands of sustainability, and policy instruments for sustainability––such as environmental taxation––are examined for their distributive effects. Fairness and Futurity: Essays on Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice. It raises important questions and sets out to provide the answers. If future generations are owed justice, what should we bequeath them? Is `sustainability'an appropriate medium for environmentalists to express their demands? Is environmental protection compatible with intra-generational justice? Is environmental sustainability a luxury when social peace has broken down? These essays emerged from three intensive seminars that involved participants in constant re-evaluations of their work, and which bought three distinct groups--environmental theorists, `mainstream'political theorists, and policy community members--into fruitful contact. In particular, the attempt to involve `mainstream'theorists in environmental questions, and to encourage environmentalists to use intellectual resources of political theory, should be highlighted. 0198294883......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Notes on Contributors......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 PART I......Page 32 1. Sustainable Development as a Contested Concept......Page 34 2. Sustainability: Should We Start From Here?......Page 59 PART II......Page 82 3. Sustainable Development and Our Obligations to Future Generations......Page 84 4. Sustainability and Intergenerational Justice......Page 106 5. Ecology and Opportunity: Intergenerational Equity and Sustainable Options......Page 131 6. Social Justice and Environmental Goods......Page 164 7. An Extension of the Rawlsian Savings Principle to Liberal Theories of Justice in General......Page 186 8. Sustainable Development and Accumulation of Capital: Reconciling the Irreconcilable?......Page 212 PART III......Page 244 9. Must the Poor Pay More? Sustainable Development, Social Justice, and Environmental Taxation......Page 246 10. Ecological Degradation: A Cause for Conflict, a Concern for Survival......Page 262 Notes......Page 292 Bibliography......Page 323 E......Page 338 N......Page 339 S......Page 340 Z......Page 341 "Fairness and Futurity : Essays on Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice." "It raises important questions and sets out to provide the answers. If future generations are owed justice, what should we bequeath them? Is 'sustainability' an appropriate medium for environmentalists to express their demands? Is environmental protection compatible with intra-generational justice? Is environmental sustainability a luxury when social peace has broken down?"--Résumé de l'éditeur Fairness and Futurity: Essays on Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice. It raises important questions and sets out to provide the answers. If future generations are owed justice, what should we bequeath them? Is 'sustainability' an appropriate medium for environmentalists to express their demands? Is environmental protection compatible with intra-generational justice? Is environmental sustainability a luxury when social peace has broken down? -- Publisher description

This book brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice. These essays emerged from three intensive seminars which brought these distinct groups into fruitful contact.

Annotation This book brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice. These essays emerged from three intensive seminars which brought these distinct groups into fruitful contact The book brings together leading international figures in political theory and sociology, as well as representatives from the political community, to consider the normative issues at stake in the relationship between environmental sustainability and social justice Over the last ten years, the terms 'sustainable development' and 'sustainability' have come to dominate the field of environmental policy and politics. Edited By Andrew Dobson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.