Multi-Level Social Institutions in Conflict over Sustainable Development

Abstract

An identifiable research gap in extant literature concerns how social institutions can develop more pro-sustainability attributes. Better collaboration is vital to enabling institutions to function effectively for sustainability. A conceptual scenario approach illustrates how multi-level institutions can be in fundamental conflict concerning sustainable development. A rich complexity of formal and informal institutions functions at global, regional, national, and local levels of human interaction in ways that influence both anti-sustainability and pro-sustainability behaviors, practices, and outcomes. The scenario approach underscores that the balance of anti-sustainability and pro-sustainability attributes is not readily assessed theoretically or empirically as a basis for improving social justice outcomes.