developmental goals

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

1980’s was a lost decade of development and there is now renewed attention to poverty but a more holistic view of development, economic growth, health, education, environment and human rights.
- UNDP published report into Human Development and found that agenda setting is a key tool for development. (Norm entrepreneurs).
- UNDP – concerned with how we measure development.
o People are the means for development

Question 2

functionalist approach

Answer 2

Functionalist approach: (opposite of a political institution only performs a particular task)
• States can solve problems effectively by cooperating in non-political
institutions.
• Institutions are staffed by experts rather than diplomats or political actors.
• Effective solutions no regard to power or prestige.
• But – one tent approach makes it easier to deal with one institution.

Question 3

development linked to security?

Answer 3

World Banks and the IMF – approach developing countries in a way they want to see monetary returns. – provide particular vision on how states should develop.

1. higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development;
2. solutions of international economic, social, health, and related problems; and international cultural and educational cooperation; and
3. universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

= thus increases stability and less likely for a disillusioned population to revolt against the existing order.

Question 4

realist perspective

Answer 4

Realists – tensions between the global south and north: There is no such thing as modernisation for those at the bottom of the ladder because those at the top do not have access to cheap labour and resources

Question 5

imbalance of power?

Answer 5

Development seen and controlled by Bretton Woods institutions – imbalance towards rich/powerful countries as they contribute the most.
- Become highly politicized, with states promoting a Western economic vision

Question 6

the role of the UNDP

Answer 6

UNDP – operational work (people on the ground).

• Provides grants, loans, assistance for capacity building, democracy promotion, development.
• Seen as a partner in the country and do not want to seem like the World Bank.
• horizontally not necessarily centrally constructed and they can make up their own programmes in the country. The solutions are tailored and come with the technical assistance and funding comes from UN member states.

Question 7

intro to Millennium Development Goals 2000

Answer 7

• Millennium Assembly and Declaration (2000)
• 8 development goals (with concrete targets and
  indicators to assess progress)
• Largely aimed at developing states (apart from goal 8).
  o Eradicate poverty, universal primary education, gender equality, combat HIV/Adis, environmental sustainability

Goals for the first time had measurable development. Allows them to show if they have failed or succeeded. Concrete targets which you are trying to meet which is easier than for saying to eradicate development.

Question 8

Effectivness of Millennium Development Goals 2000

Answer 8

Effective?

• Progress is uneven.
• Noncompliance – a global partnership for development.
• Slow progress
• The focus on poverty was a narrow conception of development. The focus had been on eliminating extreme poverty and thus reconceptualised development.
• Goals were drafted by technocrats and undertook limited consultations with other sources of knowledge.
• ONCHR – criticised that MDG’s not adequately aligned with human rights standards.
• Can’t just solve the problem with resources and technology often political instability – therefore MDG’s seen as too simplistic and didn’t recognise the root causes of poverty were often embedded in power relations.

Question 9

sustainable development goals 2015

Answer 9

• set up as part of intense diplomatic negotiations.
• All encompassing
• Focuses on international efforts with indicators and timelines.
• Differed from MDG’s
  o MDG’s were a north south aid agenda
  o Seeking a new rationale for aid in the context of post-Cold War geo-politics and globalization.
  o It was helpful in communicating clear purpose and to mobilise the public.
  o SDG’s focus on the sustainability and can be global goals set to be reached by both rich and poor countries.
  o Has a broader agenda and while it does focus on ending poverty there are other targets including environmental social and economic sustainability.
• The goals are not tangible or have measurable outcomes – focused on complex concepts and the quality of development – the sustainability/inclusion.

Question 10

to make sure goals are not lost in implementation or is it actually achievable?

Answer 10

Gender power relations
- Goal 5 – reflects gender equality and women’s empowerment as multi-dimensional process – beyond straightforward outcomes and tackling violence, unpaid care work, reproductive and health rights.
o Also not confined to goal 5, linked to education and health.

Decisions taken by committees - they are simply not achievable. Reaching all these 17 goals will require a lot of money.

• Cost: achieving goals might require $1.5 trillion per year for 15 years (and could be as high as $2.5-3 trillion)

Question 11

realists vs institutionalist

Answer 11

Strong liberal internationalist vision behind multilateral banks and UN agencies à cooperative international institutions as drivers and enablers of development

But realist power politics still important
US-led global financial institutions
Former imperial powers seek to develop their colonies?

Question 12

how to achieve?

Answer 12

Examples Effective.
- UN invested heavily through 3 major programmes
1- Research to develop technical strategy
2- Campaign to publicise the goals and mobilize support
3- Support national governments.
WHO - small pox extinct.

Question 13

case studies

Answer 13

Case Studies – El Salvador: Peacekeeping, 75,000 killed and almost 1 million displaced in conflict 1970-1990’s.

• Rebuilding institutions through consensus – political manoeuvring to ensure the trust of all parties.
• Helped to build national police force and human rights office, judicial reform.
  o Lead to more politically independent, pluralistic and professional justice system.
• Redistribution of land to ex-combatants.
• Many challenges existed but UNDP – wanted to develop greater understanding of violence
  o Drew on knowledge from local professionals
  o Found that there was weak institutions after the war, easily available weapons, organised crime in drugs and arms trafficking.
   UNDP focused on strengthening legal framework for arms control.

HIV Epidemic – Ethiopia – first reports in 1986 and by 2009 more than 1.1 million had it. Recognized the importance of social protection, gender and human rights and the environment which can contribute to better health outcomes.