ABSTRACT:

Sustainable development is predominantly approached through the lenses of environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, the role of political and economic institutions – though fundamental to the implementation of sustainability goals – remains underexplored and marginalized in both theoretical frameworks and policy discourse. This paper critically examines the status of institutions as overlooked yet essential pillars of sustainable development, arguing that the quality of institutions determines the effectiveness of development strategies, the level of democratization, public resource governance, and overall societal resilience to contemporary crises. Through qualitative analysis of relevant literature, global development reports, and comparative institutional case studies, this paper investigates how institutional factors either facilitate or hinder sustainability across different socio-economic contexts. Special attention is given to transitional and less developed countries, where institutional weaknesses – such as poor rule of law, pervasive corruption, and political instability – further constrain sustainable development efforts. The expected findings emphasize the need to redefine development paradigms by systematically integrating the institutional dimension into sustainability strategies. The author advocates for the concept of “institutional sustainability” as a fourth pillar of development, emphasizing the long-term construction of legitimate, accountable, and inclusive institutions. Such an approach enables more effective policy implementation, strengthens social cohesion and participation, and enhances resilience to global challenges such as climate change, economic shocks, and political unrest.

САЖЕТАК:

Одрживи развој се у доминантним међународним наративима најчешће посматра кроз призму економских и социјалних димензија. Ипак, улога политичких и економских институција – иако суштинска за операционализацију циљева одрживости – остаје на маргини теоријских приступа и јавно-политичких стратегија. Овај рад критички разматра статус институција као занемарених, али кључних стубова одрживог развоја, полазећи од тезе да институционални квалитет условљава ефикасност спровођења развојних политика, ниво демократизације, управљање јавним добрима и укупну отпорност друштава на савремене кризе. Коришћењем квалитативне анализе релевантне литературе, међународних развојних извештаја и упоредних институционалних примера, истражује се на који начин институционални фактори доприносе или, пак, ограничавају одрживи развој у различитим социо-економским контекстима. Посебан фокус стављен је на земље у транзицији и слабије развијене државе, у којима институционалне слабости – попут ниске владавине права, раширене корупције и политичке нестабилности – додатно отежавају реализацију развојних циљева. Очекивани резултати рада указују на потребу редефинисања развојних парадигми како би се институционална компонента системски интегрисала у стратегије одрживог развоја. Аутор заговара концепт „институционалне одрживости” као четврти стуб развоја, који подразумева дугорочну изградњу легитимних, одговорних и инклузивних институција. Такав приступ омогућава не само ефективније спровођење политика, већ и већу друштвену кохезију, партиципацију и отпорност на глобалне изазове попут климатских промена, економских нестабилности и политичких криза.

Keywords:

sustainable development, institutions, political economy, institutional sustainability, socio-economic challenges.

Кључне речи:

одрживи развој, институције, политичка економија, институционална одрживост, друштвено-економски изазови.

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