When investigating everything related to the concepts of Sustainable and Sustainable, many authors use it interchangeably, although others suggest that they are synonymous. Actually, if we rely on the roots of both words in a dictionary, it hints that they are synonyms, it also leaves in doubt why some authors make use of one in particular, as if they both had "similar but different" meanings, something like " understand ”and“ understand ”.
The truth is that they have different connotations and should be used properly; For this, it is necessary to clearly define both concepts so that they serve in the systematization of knowledge in these important aspects, and that they play a transcendental role in future plans and programs. Applying the basic knowledge of dialectics and mathematical logic, it is that I have dared to develop this differentiation, which I hope satisfies the gnoseological expectations of those of us who are immersed in these vicissitudes.
The word sustainable or the concept of sustainability. Etymologically it leads to "sustenance", food, right? There is the crux of the matter: The sustainable has to do with the “maintenance” aspect, which corresponds in a system to the endogenous; in other words, everything that has to do with the maintenance of the system in terms of its permanence over time. And when I speak of the endogenous I am referring to the weaknesses and strengths that exist in a system within it.
In this sense, the sustainable has to do with the strategies that must be proposed to transform weaknesses into strengths or mitigate them, as well as capitalizing on strengths to the maximum. The endogenous or internal has to do with installed capacities, raw materials, labor, intangibles and everything that has to do with its own existence, development and growth of the system; a sustainable model would not only stand on its own but would also perform the function of feeding and supporting the people who make it up. Making an analogy, with physics, the sustainable has to do with the balance of internal forces.
The word sustainable or the concept of sustainability. Etymologically it leads us to "sustain", it implies, deep down, that someone or something external or alien appear on the scene and "sustain". Therefore, what is sustainable is external or exogenous to a system. So it has to do with the opportunities and threats of a system to maintain itself over time, to be like "a fish in water". That is to say, it deals with strategies that have to do with taking advantage of opportunities and mitigating or preventing threats.
Within the external sphere are government policies, the climate, treaties, competition, the market, the environment, etc. Making an analogy with physics, sustainability has to do with the balance of external forces.
Both, that is, what is sustainable and what is sustainable are projected into the future and are interdependent. Therefore, a good strategy has to be sustainable and sustainable, in time. One cannot speak only of the concept of sustainable, nor can one speak only of the concept of sustainable; since both coexist interdependently. That is why in a very well formulated and elaborated strategy, the sustainable and the sustainable must be present, since both have to do with the internal and external aspects of a system.
