Abstract EN:

Recognising the relevance of the concept of sustainable development as a political reference, the author can hardly conceive it as a scientific concept. He prefers the concept of public good, of which as precise a definition as possible is given. He starts by examining two cases : Russia and Brittany. In Russia, can the ecologist movement, together with the desire for change which became apparent from the mid-80s, contribute in overcoming the ecological and sanitary consequences of the soviet industrial development, combining productivism and totalitarianism ? In Brittany, a productivist agricultural system is now being criticised because of its pollutant effects, whereas there are recognised alternative methods : organic farming, sustainable development plans, etc. Their supporters show that it is possible to produce otherwise, combining economic viability, ecological security and social acceptability. But does this clarify the real issues of these alternatives ? Analysing the practices demands the intervention of a theoretical model allowing for an identification of rationalities which formalise these practices. This model, which allows the question of environment and economic rationality to be dealt in a new way, is studied in the second part. A third part specifies how the study of Russian and Breton cases can enlighten fundamental problems. Don't the Russian post-soviet ecological crisis and the crisis of the Breton agricultural system, illustrate the limits of reference to economic rationality ? Doesn't contemporary reference to sustainable development constitute a reminder of a political principle of responsibility, as well as of an ethical principle of legitimacy ? How does the theoretical model used allow for a precise definition to be given of the concept of public good ? Finally, a certain similarity is shown between the crises concerning the professions of social workers and farming advisers. A redefinition of the profession of adviser is proposed