SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICAL WILL: POLICY LESSONS FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH

ustainable development in the Global South is not constrained merely by economic limitations but by the complex interplay of political will, institutional priorities, and governance capacity. This paper analyzes how political commitment affects the implementation of sustainability policies in developing nations, using a comparative political economy framework. Drawing from hypothetical case data across 10 countries, it evaluates the relationship between policy intent, governance quality, and actual sustainability outcomes in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Findings indicate that nations demonstrating high political commitment—measured by sustainability budget allocation, participatory governance, and long-term planning—achieve markedly better developmental outcomes. The study concludes that effective sustainability transitions require not only financial resources but consistent political intent, institutional accountability, and citizen involvement.