SD (sustainable development) has become a popular phrase without a clear definition, as people increasingly question what it means but do not receive clear answers. There is a danger it could become an empty cliché like "appropriate technology" that everyone acknowledges but does not define. While some argue against rigidly defining SD, without a definition it risks becoming a meaningless phrase used for political appeals rather than meaningful action.

1. Introduction

2. • But murmurs of disenchantment are also being
• heard. "What is S D ? " is being asked increasingly
• frequently without, however, clear answers
• forthcoming.

3. • SD is in real danger of becoming a
• clich6 like appropriate technology - - a fashion-
• able phrase that everyone pays homage to but
• nobody cares to define.

4. • Four years ago, Tolba
• lamented that SD had become "an article of
• faith, a shibboleth; often used, but little ex-
• plained" (Tolba, 1984a); the situation has not
• improved since.

5. • There are those who believe that one should
• not try to define SD too rigorously.