Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
06:10
Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
Published on: March 31, 2023
950
Negotiating discord in sustainability transformations
James J Patterson1, Giuseppe Feola1, Rakhyun E Kim1
1Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, 3585CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Summary
Sustainability transformations face conflict. Policy action must focus on negotiating discord and finding political settlements among diverse actors to achieve progress and avoid derailment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental policy
- Political science
- Sustainability studies
Background:
- Sustainability transformation policies often assume consensus and smooth implementation.
- This overlooks inherent conflicts, pushback, and resistance (discord) in policy action.
- Existing frameworks present an unrealistic view of deliberate transformation realization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of discord in sustainability transformations.
- To propose a shift in policy focus towards negotiating conflict.
- To offer a more realistic approach to achieving sustainability goals.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of policy action in sustainability transformations.
- Examination of assumptions in existing policy frameworks.
- Identification of 'discord' as a central element in policy processes.
Main Results:
- Sustainability transformations are inherently political and face constant discord.
- Simplified assumptions about consensus lead to ineffective policy.
- Negotiating partial political settlements is crucial for progress.
Conclusions:
- Policy action for sustainability must actively engage with and negotiate discord.
- Focusing on imperfect, workable steps can overcome deadlock.
- This approach generates momentum and prevents agenda derailment.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Social Traps
22.3K
Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
22.3K
01:43Sustainable Development
13.3K
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
13.3K
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
60
Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
60
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
77
Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the...
77
04:49Robbers Cave
14.3K
During the 1950s, the landmark Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated that when groups must compete with one another, intergroup conflict, hostility, and even violence may result. At the Oklahoman summer camp, two troops of boys—termed the Rattlers and the Eagles—took part in a week-long tournament. During this time, their negativity culminated in derogatory name-calling, fistfights, and even vandalism and destruction of property. However, this work also revealed that such tension...
14.3K
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
4.0K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
4.0K