| In recent history, development economic study has taken a divergent route from normal neo-classical study. Sustainable development is the result of this new branch of study, popularised in 1987. This new approach concentrates on delivering human development indices and solutions along the dogma of three different areas of study -sociology, environmental economics and economics. The basic belief is that in order for the human species to survive on earth, planetary resources must not be consumed at a rate which is beyond renewal and its capacity to support human (and other) life form. Currently, the pressures of a burgeoning human growth coupled with development pressures of inequitable distribution of natural resources and wealth, overconsumption of natural resources and gross neglect of the 'carrying capacity' of world systems manifested in sprawling urbanisation, the unrelenting depletion of raw materials, exhaustion of ecosystems, the increasingly numerous and ravaging wars and social breakdown, and global warming are amongst the main factors leading to the reappraisal and more holistic approach to traditional economics. China is the world's largest country by population and is currently undergoing monumental change. Within this context, this thesis will attempt to map out a sustainable framework by touching upon various themes which are deemed important to the future of not only china, but the world.Main content and viewpoints:In this paper we review current thinking and theories, hypothesis for the past 20 years and the future direction of sustainable development and its place within the domain of economics. According to the direction of study, three main areas within sustainable development theory are explored and expounded upon for the application of such to Chinese problems. These are the development of the HDI index, wealth as a measure of development, urbanisation within china using previous UK experience as a benchmark and NNP, or Green GDP. |
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