FORGET 'DEVELOPING' POOR COUNTRIES, IT'S TIME TO 'DE-DEVELOP' RICH COUNTRIES

By Jason Hickel

This week, heads of state are gathering in New York to sign the UN’s new sustainable development
goals (SDGs). The main objective is to eradicate poverty by 2030. Beyoncé, One Direction and
Malala are on board. It’s set to be a monumental international celebration.

Given all the fanfare, one might think the SDGs are about to offer a fresh plan for how to save the
world, but beneath all the hype, it’s business as usual. The main strategy for eradicating poverty is
the same: growth.

Growth has been the main object of development for the past 70 years, despite the fact that it’s not
working. Since 1980, the global economy has grown by 380%, but the number of people living in
poverty on less than $5 (£3.20) a day has increased by more than 1.1 billion. That’s 17 times the
population of Britain. So much for the trickle-down effect.

Orthodox economists insist that all we need is yet more growth. More progressive types tell us that
we need to shift some of the yields of growth from the richer segments of the population to the poorer
ones, evening things out a bit. Neither approach is adequate. Why? Because even at current levels of
average global consumption, we’re overshooting our planet’s bio-capacity by more than 50% each
year.

In other words, growth isn’t an option any more – we’ve already grown too much. Scientists are now
telling us that we’re blowing past planetary boundaries at breakneck speed. And the hard truth is that
this global crisis is due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries.

Instead of pushing poor countries to 'catch up' with rich ones, we should be getting rich countries to
'catch down'

Right now, our planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 “global hectares”
annually – a standardised unit that measures resource use and waste. This figure is roughly what the
average person in Ghana or Guatemala consumes. By contrast, people in the US and Canada
consume about 8 hectares per person, while Europeans consume 4.7 hectares – many times their
fair share.

What does this mean for our theory of development? Economist Peter Edward argues that instead of
pushing poorer countries to “catch up” with rich ones, we should be thinking of ways to get rich
countries to “catch down” to more appropriate levels of development. We should look at societies
where people live long and happy lives at relatively low levels of income and consumption not as
basket cases that need to be developed towards western models, but as exemplars of efficient living.

How much do we really need to live long and happy lives? In the US, life expectancy is 79 years and
GDP per capita is $53,000. But many countries have achieved similar life expectancy with a mere
fraction of this income. Cuba has a comparable life expectancy to the US and one of the highest
literacy rates in the world with GDP per capita of only $6,000 and consumption of only 1.9 hectares –
right at the threshold of ecological sustainability. Similar claims can be made of Peru, Ecuador,
Honduras, Nicaragua and Tunisia.

Yes, some of the excess income and consumption we see in the rich world yields improvements in
quality of life that are not captured by life expectancy, or even literacy rates. But even if we look at
measures of overall happiness and wellbeing in addition to life expectancy, a number of low- and
middle-income countries rank highly. Costa Rica manages to sustain one of the highest happiness
indicators and life expectancies in the world with a per capita income one-fourth that of the US.

In light of this, perhaps we should regard such countries not as underdeveloped, but rather as
appropriately developed. And maybe we need to start calling on rich countries to justify their
excesses.

70% of people in middle- and high-income countries believe overconsumption is putting our planet
and society at risk
The idea of “de-developing” rich countries might prove to be a strong rallying cry in the global south,
but it will be tricky to sell to westerners. Tricky, but not impossible. According to recent consumer
research, 70% of people in middle- and high-income countries believe overconsumption is putting our
planet and society at risk. A similar majority also believe we should strive to buy and own less, and
that doing so would not compromise our happiness. People sense there is something wrong with the
dominant model of economic progress and they are hungry for an alternative narrative.

The problem is that the pundits promoting this kind of transition are using the wrong language. They
use terms such as de-growth, zero growth or – worst of all – de-development, which are technically
accurate but off-putting for anyone who’s not already on board. Such terms are repulsive because
they run against the deepest frames we use to think about human progress, and, indeed, the purpose
of life itself. It’s like asking people to stop moving positively thorough life, to stop learning, improving,
growing.

Negative formulations won’t get us anywhere. The idea of “steady-state” economics is a step in the
right direction and is growing in popularity, but it still doesn’t get the framing right. We need to reorient
ourselves toward a positive future, a truer form of progress. One that is geared toward quality instead
of quantity. One that is more sophisticated than just accumulating ever increasing amounts of stuff,
which doesn’t make anyone happier anyway. What is certain is that GDP as a measure is not going
to get us there and we need to get rid of it.

Perhaps we might take a cue from Latin Americans, who are organising alternative visions around the
indigenous concept of buen vivir, or good living. The west has its own tradition of reflection on the
good life and it’s time we revive it. Robert and Edward Skidelsky take us down this road in his book
How Much is Enough? where they lay out the possibility of interventions such as banning advertising,
a shorter working week and a basic income, all of which would improve our lives while reducing
consumption.

Either we slow down voluntarily or climate change will do it for us. We can’t go on ignoring the laws of
nature. But rethinking our theory of progress is not only an ecological imperative, it is also a
development one. If we do not act soon, all our hard-won gains against poverty will evaporate, as
food systems collapse and mass famine re-emerges to an extent not seen since the 19th century.

This is not about giving anything up. And it’s certainly not about living a life of voluntary misery or
imposing harsh limits on human potential. On the contrary, it’s about reaching a higher level of
understanding and consciousness about what we’re doing here and why.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-
network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs
UN NEW SUSTAINBLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future
for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality,
climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected,
and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030. Click on any
specific Goal below to learn more about each issue.

Goal 1: No Poverty
Donate what you don’t use.
More than 700 million people still live in extreme poverty.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Waste less food and support local farmers.
A third of the world’s food is wasted, yet 821 million people are undernourished.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Vaccinate your Family.
Vaccinations resulted in an 80% drop in measles deaths betwee 2000 and 2017.
Goal 4: Quality Education
Help educate the chidren in your community.
617 million children and adolescents lack minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Empower women and girls and ensure their equal rights.
1 in 3 women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Avoid wasting water.
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the worlds population.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Use only energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
3 billion people still lack clean cooking fuels and technologies.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Create job oppotunities for youth.
1/5 of young people are not in education, employment or traiining.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Support the marginalized and disadvantaged.
The poorest 40% of the population earn less than 25% of global income.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Bike, walk or use public transportation.
9 out of 10 urban residents breathe polluted air.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Recycle paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.
By 2050, the equivalent of almost 3 planets could be required to sustain current lifestyles.
Goal 13: Climate action
Act now to stop global warming.
Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased by almost 50% since 1990.
Goal 14: Life below water
Avoid plastic baggs to keep the oceans clean.
Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
Goal 15: Life on Land
Plant a tree and help protect the environment.
Forest are home to more than 80% of all terestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Stand up for human rights.
In 2018, the number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million.
Goal 17: Partnerships
Lobby your government to boost development financing.
Achieving the SDGs could open up USS12 trillion of market oppotunities and create 380 million new
jobs by 2030.

Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
AMBISYON NATIN 2040

AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino
people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years. It describes the kind of life that people
want to live, and how the country will be by 2040. As such, it is an anchor for development planning
across at least four administrations.

AmBisyon Natin 2040 is a picture of the future, a set of life goals and goals for the country. It is
different from a plan, which defines the strategies to achieve the goals. It is like a destination that
answers the question “Where do we want to be?”. A plan describes the way to get to the
destination; AmBisyon Natin 2040 is the vision that guides the future and is the anchor of the
country’s plans.

AmBisyon Natin 2040 is the result of a long-term visioning process that began in 2015. More than
300 citizens participated in focus group discussions and close to 10,000 answered the national
survey. Technical studies were prepared to identify strategic options for realizing the vision articulated
by citizens. The exercise benefitted from the guidance of an Advisory Committee composed of
government, private sector, academe, and civil society.

The life of all Filipinos in 2040:

Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay

By 2040, Filipinos enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life.

In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have
enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan and prepare for our own and
our children’s future. Our family lives together in a place of our own, and we have the freedom to go
where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government.

Filipinos are strongly rooted: matatag. Filipino families live together; there is work-life balance so
that there is time to spend with family even for members who work. On weekends, families and
friends enjoy time together in parks and recreational centers. It is a high-trust society with a strong
sense of community. There are volunteer opportunities, and Filipinos spend time to serve the
community, help others who are in need, and contribute to various causes.

Filipinos are comfortable: maginhawa. No one is poor, no one is ever hungry. Filipino families live
in comfortable homes with the desired amenities and secure tenure. Families and friends are within
reach because transport is convenient and affordable, and they can take a vacation together within
the country and abroad. Children receive quality education so that they realize their full potentials and
become productive members of society. Decent jobs that bring sustainable income are available,
including opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Filipinos are secure: panatag. Filipinos feel secure over their entire lifetime. They expect to live long
and enjoy a comfortable life upon retirement. There are resources to cover unexpected expenses,
and there are savings. They feel safe in all places in the country. Filipinos trust their government
because it is free of corruption and provides service to all its citizens equally.

Matatag

 Family is together
 Time with friends
 Work-life balance
 Volunteering

Maginhawa

 Free from hunger and poverty

 Secure home ownership
 Good transport facilities
 Travel and vacation
Panatag

 Enough resources for day-to-day needs, unexpected expenses and savings

 Peace and security
 Long and healthy life
 Comfortable retirement

Realizing the AmBisyon

All sectors of society, whether public or private, should direct their efforts towards creating
opportunities for Filipinos to enjoy a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay. Government, in
particular, must use its tools of fiscal, monetary and regulatory policies to steer the development path
towards enabling Filipinos to attain their AmBisyon. This pertains to all dimensions of development:
economic, human and physical capital, institutional, social and cultural.
By 2040, the Philippines is a prosperous middle class society where no one is poor. People live long
and healthy lives and are smart and innovative. The country is a high-trust society where families
thrive in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities.
Filipinos live in a prosperous, predominantly middle class society where no one is poor.
Economic growth must be relevant, inclusive and sustainable. Over the next 25 years (until 2040), per
capita income must increase by at least three-fold. More than the increase in income, economic
growth must progressively improve the quality of life of the majority of Filipinos.

AmBisyon can be partly achieved by having competitive enterprises that offer quality goods and
services at affordable prices. Government must encourage investments in these sectors by improving
market linkages, simplifying government procedures, and facilitating access to finance. These should
be complemented by appropriate human capital development, science, technology and innovation.
Following are the priority sectors that have direct impact on AmBisyon:

Housing and Urban Development: Construction, construction-related manufacturing, house

development-related manufacturing, and utilities (electricity, gas, and water).
Manufacturing: Food processing, housing related, construction-related, transport manufacturing, and
other manufacturing.
Connectivity: Roads and bridges, port, airports, vehicles, transport systems, and communication.
Education Services: Formal education and re-tooling services.
Tourism and Allied Services: Resort, rest-recreation hotels, accommodation, travel and tour cultural
shows, heritage sites, etc.
Agriculture: Food production, commercial and industrial crop, agricultural biotechnology, etc.
Health and Wellness Services: Primary, secondary, and tertiary care, pharmaceuticals, wellness
facilities, sports and fitness facilities, etc.
Financial Services: Consumer financing, enterprise financing, and insurance savings mobilization.

Government must also ensure that economic growth is broad-based across sectors and regions; it
must result in a more equal income distribution. Moreover, there should be aggressive interventions
to increase opportunities for the poor to participate in the growth process even as they are protected
against the negative impact of economic and political instabilities, natural and man-made calamities.
Poverty must be eradicated by 2040, if not earlier.

It must also be recognized that certain individuals cannot immediately participate in the growth
process. For infants and children, there is the requisite care, guidance, health and education services
until they become mature enough. It is important that parents and families should be able to provide
these, although government should stand ready to fill the gap. A major intervention, therefore, is for
parents to adequately prepare for having a family.

Filipinos live a long and healthy life.

A long and healthy life allows people to realize their full potential and to enjoy the attainment of their
AmBisyon for many years. This is borne out of healthy lifestyle choices. New products and processes
that are safer and cleaner, and certainly products that promote good health, are needed as well.
Policies that promote work-life balance can reduce the strain on people’s health. Filipinos must also
be given more affordable, clean and safe options for rest and recreation, like open spaces, nature
parks and public sports and fitness facilities. In case of illness, Filipinos must have access to
affordable and good quality healthcare.

Ensuring the quality of health care and health-related products and the safety of other products is the
responsibility of government as well

Filipinos are smart and innovative.

Well-educated, innovative Filipinos will continuously improve the quality of life in the Philippines. If
education is the process of facilitating the “acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and
habits”1 , formal education is the structured method of facilitating the acquisition of a select set of
such knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. Government, therefore, must be proactive in
setting the agenda for education. It is, after all, about molding the future Filipino and creating the
future Philippine society.

More than ensuring that Filipino students acquire the foundational literacies (reading, numeracy,
scientific literacy, ICT literacy, economic and financial literacy, cultural and civic literacy), the formal
education system must also ensure that students obtain competencies (critical thinking, problem-
solving, creativity, communication, collaboration) and develop character qualities (curiosity, initiative,
persistence and grit, adaptability, leadership, social and cultural awareness)2 . This may require a
revision of the curriculum content, but more importantly, the mode of delivery. At the same time, there
must be access to lifelong learning opportunities so that competencies are continuously upgraded
and updated

Filipinos live in a high-trust society.

A high-trust society allows Filipinos to enjoy a panatag na buhay together with their families.
Extending to the bigger community, a high trust society equals a matatag na pamayanan.

A high-trust society allows people to see to their economic pursuits, secure in the knowledge that they
will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, societal ties must be strengthened where every
Filipino cares for the plight of his fellow Filipino. Every Filipino must feel upset if another Filipino is
found hungry and poor, or unable to recover from unfortunate events.

A caring society does not evolve overnight; it must be cultivated. Venues and opportunities for
interpersonal interaction must be provided. But usually, it takes root from building trust in established
institutions like government. Government must therefore begin the process of confidence-building by
being clean, fair and citizen-centered. After all, a high-trust society is the most durable bedrock for
vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities of the Philippines by 2040– hopefully, sooner.

Source: http://2040.neda.gov.ph/about-ambisyon-natin-2040/