Human Development and Diversity

5.1 development opportunities, 5.2 changing identities and culture, 5.3 local responses to global interactions

The multidimensional process of human development and ways to measure it:

The multidimensional process of human development and ways to measure it:

UN Sustainable Development Goals criteria

No poverty (SDG 1), Zero hunger (SDG 2), Good health and well-being (SDG 3), Quality education (SDG 4), Gender equality (SDG 5), Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), Climate action (SDG 13), Life below water (SDG 14), Life on land (SDG 15), Peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), and Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

validity and reliability of development indicators and indices, including the human development index (HDI)

health

• life expectancy at birth

education

• mean years of education at 25 years of age

standard of living.

• gross national income per capita

Validity: while it is highly simplified, it gives a better idea than GNI alone as it accounts for variations between the wealthy and poorer within a country.

Reliability: doesn’t account for areas with little data, yet due to its three pillars, is quite reliable.

validity and reliability of development indicators and indices, including the gender inequality index (GII)

covers reproductive health, empowerment and economic status.

Validity: very similar to the HDI, may not show sufficient difference. Labour market section doesn’t display type or security of work, just simple employment.

Reliability: missing data in many of the most affected areas

empowering women and indigenous or minority groups

Detailed illustrative examples of affirmative action to close the development gap

The importance of social entrepreneurship approaches for human development

the work of microfinance organizations and their networks

alternative trading networks such as “Fairtrade”

TNC Corporate Social Responsibility frameworks and global agreements

CSR: attempts of companies to address social, environmental and economic impacts

Pro CSR: businesses SHOULD be concerned by social issues, recognise population’s social demands, go beyond the law. Ethical practice boosts reputation.

Anti CSR: Free market. Independence between society and business, the goal of business is to make money.

Example methods: sustainable sourcing, marketing, safe conditions/pay, customer service, education

The global spectrum of cultural traits, ethnicities and identities, and ways in which the spectrum of diversity is widening or narrowing at different scales

Culture- ways of thinking/acting (cultural traits) that distinguish a group of people from others

Cultural Differentialism- the core aspects of a culture remain unaffected and distinct

Cultural Hybridisation- mixing of cultures which results in a new, unique culture

Cultural Dilution- weakening of culture due to contact with others

Cultural Homogenisation- mixture of culture resulting in one global culture; aka c. convergence

The effects of global interactions on cultural diversity in different places

the diffusion of cultural traits, and cultural imperialism

glocalization of branded commodities, and cultural hybridity

cultural landscape changes in the built environment

How diasporas influence cultural diversity and identity at both global and local scales

Case study of a global diaspora population and its cultures(s)

The Korean Diaspora

Diaspora- the dispersal of a community of people from their cultural homeland.

Local and civil society resistance to global interactions

rejection of globalized production, including campaigns against TNCs and in favour of local sourcing of food and goods by citizens

Motivations for local sourcing

• lower ‘food miles’, greater chance of organic production

• desire to maintain quality of goods (which can be lost internationally due to cost cutting in transport, production)

Regulatory: In Australia, products display an icon that shows what percentage of the production and ingredients were sourced from Australia. This grants greater transparency around food miles, while empowering the consumer to make personal choices.

Civil society: communal gardens in Australia let a plot of land to suburban residents to grow their own organic produce, allowing individuals to take responsibility for their own food even if they don’t have the space at home.

rise of anti-immigration movements

• Tribalisation: rise of ‘us and them’ movements that oppose globalisation and westernisation

• Populism: idea that every political decision should reflect purely the citizen opinions and not the opinions of politicians

• Nationalism: political focus on national independence, abandonment of policies viewed as threats to national culture/sovereignty

Example: France’s far right holds the increasingly popular view that immigration (particularly across the Mediterranean from Africa) is a threat to French culture. Marine Le Pen’s party National Rally aims to curb immigration into France, while 56% of French respondents to a survey perceive immigration as having a negative effect on national culture.

Geopolitical constraints on global interactions

Use of trade to promote peace or punish countries: Countries with favourable relationships- or who aim to establish peace - will set up up trade agreements allowing for lower import and export tariffs, thus facilitating global interactions. In contrast, countries will use trade sanctions to indicate their dislike of a country’s actions.

For example, China placed heavy sanctions on the Australian wine export market, as well as generally high trade tariffs, following the abrupt of Australia’s AUKUS submarine agreement with China.

government and militia controls on personal freedoms to participate in global interactions

North Korean control on physical movement: citizens are not permitted to interact with external nations, and are not allowed to travel outside of the borders of the country. North Korea is infamous for its lack of global connection.

Chinese control on digital information: due to the Great Firewall of China, Chinese netizens are unable to share information or obtain external perspectives.

national trade restrictions, including protectionism and resource nationalism

Protectionism- high taxes on imported goods to protect local businesses

Resource Nationalism- control by governments over natural resources located on their territory for strategic or economic reasons eg EU Common Agricultural Policy

The role of civil society in promoting international-mindedness and participating in global interactions, including social media use and campaigning for internet freedom

Civil society- communities, organisations between state and individuals. May promote IM.

International mindedness- respecting and valuing different cultures, embracing diverse perspectives

Civil society may campaign in favour of IM when governments decide not to. This can be done using social media, enabling connections across the globe. However, restrictions on social media itself poses a risk to IM, and therefore CS organisations campaign for internet freedom.

Example 1: places where restricted freedoms have been challenged

Place where freedom is restricted: North Korea

How freedom is restricted: Restrictions on movement, no internet (Korean Intranet with only approved propaganda content), phones recently allowed, stark difference between real life and propaganda life, dictatorship, no free speech.

How restrictions are challenged: some North Koreans attempt to escape across the border into China or South Korea. If they are discovered in China, they will be sent back to North Korea and punished on home soil. However, South Korea offers a financial reward to North Koreans who successfully escape, lauding them as heroes and providing the necessary facilities to set up a life in South Korea. This is motivated by the ongoing feud between the two nations.

Example 2: places where restricted freedoms have been challenged

Place where freedom is restricted: China

How freedom is restricted: The “Great Firewall of China” creates heavy filtering between the internet of the rest of the world and the Chinese internet, reducing free speech and ability to access truthful and complete information about historical or political events. For example, all wikipedia pages relating to Tiananmen Square are blocked, and Winnie the Pooh was censored due to an unfavourable comparison between the bear and Xi Jinping.

How restrictions are challenged: Civil Society organisations such as Greatfire.org work to circumvent the firewall with free versions of Chinese browsers and chatrooms. It is an ongoing game of cat and mouse between the government and CS organisations: as soon as there is a work around, it gets shut down. However, Greatfire allows Chinese citizens to access free information.