Ethics, Constitution, and Sustainable Development: Foundations for Building a Rational Society | Chapter 8 | The Tapestry of Development: Weaving Ethics into a Sustainable Future

 

Sustainable development has become a cornerstone of global, regional, and national development agendas, particularly following the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Ethics and constitutionalism emerge as critical frameworks for navigating the complexities of sustainable development. This study explores how ethics and governance can provide sustainable pathways to poverty eradication by balancing the three pillars of sustainable development: economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. It emphasises the role of ethical reasoning, constitutional principles, and governance frameworks in navigating trade-offs and guiding inclusive decision-making. Despite the global adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many countries, particularly in the Global South, struggle to harmonise economic, social, and environmental priorities. Development projects often prioritise short-term economic gains at the expense of ecological sustainability and social justice. Weak governance, policy incoherence, and the absence of ethical frameworks exacerbate these tensions, undermining poverty eradication efforts. The research adopts a qualitative, interpretive methodology that combines a systematic literature review, policy analysis, and case study examination. The study draws on scholarly works, international development reports, constitutional provisions, and real-world examples of sustainable development initiatives. The analysis focuses on identifying ethical and governance mechanisms that support integrated and sustainable poverty eradication strategies. The study contributes to sustainability scholarship by proposing an ethical-constitutional framework for decision-making in sustainable development. It integrates principles of justice, equity, and intergenerational responsibility with governance tools such as stakeholder engagement, life cycle assessments, and constitutional rights. Sustainable development faces persistent trade-offs that cannot be resolved without ethical and governance guidance. Ethical principles such as fairness, inclusivity, and intergenerational equity provide a normative basis for reconciling competing interests. Constitutional provisions, particularly environmental and socio-economic rights, can act as enforceable mechanisms for ensuring balanced development. Multi-stakeholder engagement and just transition strategies are critical to ensuring that poverty eradication does not worsen social or environmental vulnerabilities. Balancing economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental protection requires embedding ethics and governance into the core of sustainable development policies. By integrating constitutional mandates, ethical reasoning, and participatory governance, countries can create sustainable pathways to poverty eradication that are socially inclusive and environmentally responsible. The study highlights the importance of collaboration, policy coherence, and ethical accountability in building a just and sustainable future.

 

Author(s) Details

John Motsamai Modise
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-88417-39-6/CH8