Institutional aspects of sustainability policies in Brazil

Abstract

This is an account of different approaches to the values of sustainability during the Brazilian process of democratization from the early 1980s to 2006. Its focus lies on the evolving norms for state promotion of sustainability, vis-à-vis the changing definitions and practices about democracy and sustainable development within society. This focus underlines the limits and controversies that orient the definitions of democracy as well as of sustainability -- as part of an ongoing process of institutional building and cultural democratization. The report stresses crucial practical changes in both State and society, related to the understanding, decision-making, social mobilization/organization, and attempted implementation, of environmental public policies.