ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the political meaning of social sustainability. It begins by examining some of the different iterations of social sustainability that have been developed across the academic literature. Sustainability and social sustainability needs to become more closely linked with the idea of democracy. A broad societal embrace of social sustainability stems from the recognition that environmental sustainability cannot be divorced from broader processes. The academic literature’s uncertainty about the concept of social sustainability is not mirrored in the policy world. The idea of social sustainability is widespread, and many policy programmes are formulated around the concept. The chapter suggests that social sustainability – as part of sustainability more generally – operates as an empty signifier. An empty signifier is a term that performs an organizing duty within a social discourse but lacks any definitive content itself. The proposition is that making social sustainability a useful concept requires linking it more explicitly with democracy.
