¹Originally prepared for the Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, Washington, DC, November 1993.

Abstract

To open the Dialogue section of Volume 48, we start with two pieces by David C. Korten, a leading 'alternative' writer. The first was written in 1993 to present his then current thoughts on the conventional and alternative wisdom on sustainable development. That most of its arguments remain relevant nearly twelve years later is a useful reminder of how little the basic frame of the sustainable development debate has changed during this period. The second is his reflection on the piece written for this journal issue. He shares his own history and emerging vision as he explores, with others, the possibilities and problems of alternative thinking for diverse economies in theory and practice for today and the future.