CHAPTER I. THE AVATARS OF SUSTAINABILITY. A NECESSARY PROLEGOMENON -- CHAPTER II. THE CLASSICAL DISCOURSE - FROM START-UP TO HARMONY. WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ABOUT IT? -- CHAPTER III. INSTITUTIONALISM DRAWN UPON FOUNDING AND SUSTAINABLE ROOTS -- CHAPTER IV. ECONOMIC DYNAMICS ACCORDING TO THE THOUGHTS OF THE FOUNDERS -- CHAPTER V. THE CONVOLUTED SUSTAINABILITY OF THE NEOCLASSICAL DISCOURSE -- CHAPTER VI. FREE COMPETITION. AN INVITATION TO A LESS EXPLORED TYPE OF SUSTAINABILITY -- CHAPTER VII. INSTEAD OF GENERAL CONCLUSIONS - A FEW ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS.

This book argues that the theory of sustainable development lost some of its rigor because of two main reasons. The first manifests itself as an inflation of concepts that hampers the correct understanding of sustainability's essence. The second one consists of a departure from the traditional scientific sources of the classicists and, in part, neoclassicists. Exploiting relevant areas of their works, the authors outline the theoretical framework necessary to promote a healthy version of sustainability. Of utmost interest prove to be areas such as: the formation process of natural prices and natural rate of interest; placing growth before employment and placing production before distribution, consumption, and social justice. The main idea of the book consists of a call for breaking away from the impure forms of the theory of sustainable development and its reconstruction through the reconciliation with the laws of healthy growth as they are highlighted in the works of the founders. The authors make the case for an approach to sustainable development that is holistic, macroeconomic, and institutionalist, where social, ecological, and economic components are reconciled. This work presents a fresh perspective in the context of current works on sustainability, serving as an accessible research resource and public policy decision guide.