for many years referred to economic development processes in low-income countries. However, with the 2015 UN Agenda for Development, an understanding emerged that all countries, regardless of their economic or political might, their level of GNI per capita, or their human development index, are in a process of ‘development’ – and need to address their specific gaps in economic, social, ecological, gender equality, and political rights. The objective of ‘development’ everywhere needs to be about human rights, economic equity, gender justice and child rights, and genuine social inclusion. It is about halting and reversing man-made climate change and saving biodiversity. In light of the proliferation of autocratic states, it is about sustaining democratic institutions and a division of political powers. These normative objectives apply to all countries, all economic classes and all peoples. They require massive structural change and social transformations.
“Development” hence always needs to be questioned. And indeed, the narratives around development are moving on. Parts of the UN and many progressive economists are arguing for a post-growth or rights-based approach – income levels are then not a criterion.
Here some of my thought pieces:
The UN and development thinking from optimism to agnosticism and back again