Government, Environment and Sustainable Development – Vocabulary Flashcards

Key vocabulary covering demographics, sustainable development, green economy, developmental state theory, major South African policies and global frameworks.

Demographics

The statistical study of human populations, including size, density, distribution and vital statistics such as births, deaths and migration.

Socio-economic Landscape

The combined social and economic conditions of a country, including poverty, employment, education, health and service-delivery levels.

Sustainability

The ability of ecological, social and economic systems to endure and remain productive over time without depleting the resources on which they depend.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Green Economy

An economy that results in improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

Three Pillars of Sustainability

The environmental, economic and social dimensions that must be balanced to achieve sustainable development.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A formal process used to predict the environmental consequences of proposed developments before decisions are made.

National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)

South Africa’s framework law (1998) that sets principles and procedures for environmental governance, including EIAs.

Agenda 21

The global action plan for sustainable development adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Local Agenda 21

Municipal-level strategies that translate Agenda 21 principles into local sustainable-development actions.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Eight global targets adopted in 2000 to reduce poverty and improve health, education, gender equality and the environment by 2015.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Seventeen universal goals adopted in 2015 to guide global development to 2030, succeeding the MDGs.

Integrated Development Plan (IDP)

A five-year strategic plan that guides South African municipal budgeting, infrastructure and social development.

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP)

Post-1994 policy framework aimed at meeting basic needs, building the economy and democratizing society.

Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR)

1996 macro-economic strategy focusing on fiscal discipline, trade liberalisation and private-sector led growth.

Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for SA (AsgiSA)

2006 programme aimed at removing growth constraints to halve poverty and unemployment by 2015.

New Growth Path (NGP)

2011 economic strategy targeting job creation through green economy, infrastructure and industrial policy.

National Development Plan: Vision 2030 (NDP)

South Africa’s long-term plan to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 through inclusive growth.

Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF)

Five-year governmental plan translating the NDP into twelve priority outcomes for implementation.

National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD)

Policy framework (2011–2030) detailing actions to shift SA onto a low-carbon, resource-efficient path.

Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS)

Programme to create viable rural communities through infrastructure, land reform and economic support.

Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS)

A province-wide framework aligning resources and plans with national development and NSDP principles.

Local Economic Development (LED)

Process where local actors work together to stimulate sustainable economic activity and improve quality of life.

Developmental State

A state that guides economic growth and social development through active planning, investment and regulation.

First and Second Economies

South Africa’s dual structure: a modern, globally competitive sector (first) and a marginal, informal sector (second).

Third Sector

Voluntary, non-profit organisations (NGOs, CBOs, social enterprises) operating outside the state and market.

Global Competitiveness Index

World Economic Forum ranking of countries’ productivity based on infrastructure, markets, institutions and innovation.

Human Development Index (HDI)

UN composite index of life expectancy, education and per-capita income to gauge overall development.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population or activity level an ecosystem can support without long-term degradation.

Ecological Footprint

Measure of human demand on nature expressed as the land and sea area needed to supply consumed resources and absorb wastes.

Limits to Growth

1972 Club of Rome study predicting planetary overshoot if exponential economic and population growth continued unchecked.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith’s concept that individuals pursuing self-interest in markets can unintentionally promote societal benefit.

Protestant Work Ethic

Max Weber’s idea that hard work, thrift and discipline foster capitalism and economic success.

Surplus Value

Karl Marx’s term for the unpaid labour extracted from workers, source of capitalist profit.

Modernisation Theory

Development approach proposing that societies progress through stages from traditional to modern industrial economies.

Dependency Theory

View that underdevelopment results from exploitative relationships where resources flow from periphery to core nations.

Human Development Theory

Approach focusing on expanding people’s capabilities, choices and well-being rather than only economic growth.

Environmental/Development Theory

Perspective that links economic progress with ecological limits, stressing integrated social, economic and environmental goals.

Cost of Goods vs. Cost of Production

Environmental-economics argument that market prices ignore ecological and social costs incurred along the supply chain.

Externality

A cost or benefit from economic activity borne by third parties and not reflected in market prices.

Natural Capital

The stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (water, soil, biodiversity) that provide ecosystem services.

Environmental Economics

Field that assigns monetary value to environmental goods to integrate them into economic decision-making.

Environmental Impact Statement

Document presenting EIA findings to inform decision-makers about potential environmental consequences of a project.

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

Technique to extract shale gas by injecting high-pressure fluid into rock formations; debated for environmental risks.

Green Economy Accord

2011 social-partnership agreement in SA aiming for 300 000 green jobs through renewable energy and localisation.

Global Green New Deal

UNEP proposal for public investment and policy reform to spur recovery while greening the world economy.

BRICS

Bloc of emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – cooperating on development and trade.

NEPAD

New Partnership for Africa’s Development: AU programme for economic growth, governance and poverty reduction.

Gini Coefficient

Statistical measure of income or wealth inequality ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (maximal inequality).

Service Delivery Protest

Public demonstration in South Africa against perceived failures of government to provide basic municipal services.

Environmental Justice

Principle that all people should enjoy equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to resources.