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Dynamics and Discourse of Governance for Sustainable Development in South Korea: Convergent or Divergent?

Authors :
Huh, Taewook
Source :
Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning; Jan2014, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p95-115, 21p
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamics and discourse of governance for sustainable development (SD) in the formulation of the National Strategy for SD and the Framework Act on SD in South Korea. It reveals that accepted conventions regarding the relationship between governance and SD are ill-founded and that the dynamics and process of governance is in fact imbued with contradictions and tensions in the Korean context. In particular, this article underlines the two underlying causes which bring about the tension: the lack of common understanding between participants on the substantial values of SD and the lack of agreement as to the extent of power or authority which should be given to governance. The tension is differently shown as the ‘procedure orientation’ and ‘substance orientation’, based on the divergent assumptions between governance and representative democracy, different governance discourse and environmental discourse. This paper argues that the formulation process of the National Strategy and Framework Act failed to create a ‘convergent zone’ (the field of consensus) in terms of the governance arrangements (dynamics) and the common recognition of participants (discourse) where most of the actors (not only ‘procedure-oriented’ but ‘substance-oriented’) could agree with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1523908X
Volume :
16
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
94420076
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2013.819779