Sustainability as Empty Signifier: Its Rise, Fall, and Radical Potential

Abstract

Until recently, the concept of “sustainability” appeared to occupy a central position in the politics of many Western democracies. Following the 2008 financial crisis, however, sustainability has been relegated to a position of secondary or tertiary significance. This article considers the rise and fall of sustainability through the theoretical lens of Ernesto Laclau, considering whether it may be seen as an example of an “empty signifier”. Through detailed engagement with Laclau's work, as well as both theoretical and empirical studies of the concept of sustainability, I argue that sustainability signifies the multiple failures of dominant discourses to recognise “the future” as a meaningful category. After examining the historical conditions under which sustainability was able to operate in this way, I go on to argue that the global financial crisis and neoliberalism more broadly have interrupted our capacity to think about the future, undermining the significance of sustainability, at least temporarily.

Dams, political framing and sustainability as an empty signifier: The case of Belo Monte

“…In doing so, we can understand that these hegemonic articulations of sustainability and sustainable development represent an outcome of a political struggle by existing powers to stabilise their dominant position, in the face of issues of sustainability (Brown, 2016). The positive environmental connotations of construction have been articulated by the project's supporters, while the scheme's negative consequences have often been concealed by such an articulation.…”

“…The result is the product of a partial discursive closure, in which traditional criticisms of development have been co-opted into the term's renegotiated meaning, and bridged with concerns related to environmental health (Rist, 2007). In doing so, the notion of sustainability has provided a fluidity of meaning, under which any number of social, economic and ecological concerns can be articulated (Brown, 2016). In doing so, the notion of sustainability has provided a fluidity of meaning, under which any number of social, economic and ecological concerns can be articulated (Brown, 2016).…”

Ecological Gentrification in Response to Apocalyptic Narratives of Climate Change: The Production of an Immuno‐political Fantasy

“…Sustainability in urban planning acts ‘as a foil to give the appearance of doing something about global warming and the environment, when in effect it is largely deployed to maintain the priority of economic growth for achievement of global competitiveness’ (Gunder and Hillier, : 20). Whilst Brown (), returning to the arguments of Laclau () on the radical foundations of the empty signifier, argues that the emptiness of meaning is only part of the argument. Instead, for Brown, Sustainability functions as an indicator for moments when all other signification fails, standing in opposition to the dissatisfaction felt by the one who chooses to invoke the term.…”

Post-Sustainability and Environmental Education

“…This view is posited by Brown (2015) who draws on the work of Ernesto Laclau. This view is posited by Brown (2015) who draws on the work of Ernesto Laclau.…”