global inequality

17.1.7 Motives for Switzerland's Engagement in the Global South

Reasons for Engagement: Switzerland, unlike its European neighbors, did not have colonial ambitions, but benefits from colonial exploitation of resources for economic gain.
  - Economical Background:
    - Cheap raw materials (cotton, cocoa) were crucial in the development of industrial sectors (textile, food, chemical).
    - Participation of Swiss merchants in the slave trade noted.
Objectives of the 2020–2026 Foreign Policy Strategy:
  - Political Motives:
    - Switzerland aims to show credible commitment to disadvantaged regions as a neutral country.
    - High reputation in developing countries assists diplomatic efforts.
  - Economic Motives:
    - Selling products and accessing raw materials are important in forming International Cooperation Agreements (IZA).
  - Ecological Motives:
    - Since the Rio Conference (1992), environmental issues are prioritized in development policies.
    - Understanding that protecting Earth’s resources is a global responsibility.
  - Domestic Political Motives:
    - Migration from Africa is a debated issue; the Swiss strategy focuses on addressing its root causes locally.
  - Ethical/Humanitarian Motives:
    - Switzerland acknowledges its obligation to contribute to peace and socioeconomic stability worldwide.
    - Solidarity with disadvantaged populations forms a core part of Swiss identity.
    - Development cooperation as a method for addressing global issues collectively.
Impact of Global Warming:
- Fossil fuel economy has led to severe climate changes affecting the most vulnerable populations.
International Framework for Cooperation:
  - Adherence to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda, established by the UN in 2015.
  - In 2020, CHF 3.3 billion was spent on official development assistance, reflecting a commitment of 0.48% of Gross National Income (GNI). For context:
    - Social Security: CHF 166 billion
    - Agriculture: CHF 3.7 billion
    - Education: CHF 16 billion
    - Army: CHF 5.4 billion
  - Ranked in the middle among donor countries; contributions also include asylum and debt relief (totaling nearly CHF 300 million).
Increasing Development Commitment:
- Plans by EU members to increase aid budgets to 0.7% of GNI were set against Switzerland's parliament pledge of 0.5%, currently at 0.45%, dropping to 0.4% without asylum costs.
Humanitarian Tradition:
- Switzerland’s role as a founding member of the International Red Cross highlights its long history of humanitarian aid.
- Strong partnerships with local NGOs enhance credibility and effective interventions for development.
Economic Interests:
- Protecting international cooperation is vital for the Swiss economy to maintain productive ties as developing regions become attractive for business opportunities.
- National policies must consider global responsibilities (economic, trade, and migration).

17.2 The Problems of Poverty and Hunger

Need for Precise Terminology and Metrics:
- Understanding global inequality requires clear concepts and metrics for assessment.
Agenda 2030 Goals:
- Focus on poverty and hunger targets as primary action areas.

17.2.1 Poverty – Concepts, Indicators, and Positions

Definition of Extreme Poverty:
- Established by the World Bank as surviving on less than $2.15 per day.
- Calculated using purchasing power parity to adjust for local living costs, accounting for self-sufficiency.
Statistics on Poverty:
- 712 million individuals were classified as extremely poor in 2022, a 23% increase from 2019, following a historical reduction from 1.9 billion in 1981.
- The COVID-19 pandemic halted progress toward reducing poverty by 2030 as targeted (SDG 1).
Regional Differences:
- Notable lack of poverty reduction in Southern Africa despite success in other regions.
Absolute vs. Relative Poverty:
  - Distinction is crucial for understanding poverty data:
    - Absolute Poverty: Living on <$2.15/day.
    - Relative Poverty: Defined depending on population size and economic growth—decline in proportion of affected individuals can occur even if total numbers do not improve.
Multidimensional Poverty Concept:
  - Proposed by economist Amartya Sen, outlining multiple basic needs beyond pure income:
    - Basic needs include food, health care, housing, education, and social justice.
    - Emphasis on contextual factors affecting poverty based on societal structure (subsistence farming vs. urban economies).
Measuring Poverty with the MPI:
  - The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was established by the UN Development Programme in 2010.
  - It incorporates indicators across health, education, and standard of living (indicative table included).
  - Utilizes household-level data to assess deprivations, highlighting issues such as housing quality and access to services.
Nuances of Poverty:
- Possessing more than $2.15 may not equate to a dignified life; MPI explores broader definitions of poverty.
- Data drives targeted policy interventions: a detailed understanding of poverty’s drivers aids in effective combat.

17.2.2 Hunger and Nutrition

Global Hunger Status:
- Despite sufficient global food production, chronic hunger affects approximately 735 million individuals, approximately one in eight people.
- Current crises (climate change, geopolitical conflicts, pandemic) exacerbate hunger.
Definition of Hunger by FAO:
  - Defined as chronic malnutrition, targeting consumption levels of less than 1,800 calories/day.
  - Criticism exists regarding the conservative measure that may underreport true hunger levels due to high physical demands of affected populations.
  - Broader nutritional inadequacies mean that malnourishment increases the number to 2.4 billion individuals affected by hunger.
Consequences of Childhood Malnutrition:
- Undernourishment during childhood leads to long-term developmental issues that cannot be compensated later in life.
Global Hunger Index (GHI) and Indicators:
- GHI includes undernourishment, child mortality, stunting, and wasting as measures of hunger.
- Average global GHI values have improved since 2000 but have stagnated post-2015, revealing persistent inequalities at national levels.
Geographical Disparities in Hunger:
- Majority of hunger-stricken individuals are from agrarian sectors, with families often lacking land and security.
- Urban populations face volatility in food prices due to global market relations and constraint on self-sufficiency.
Causal Factors of Hunger:
  - Climate change leads to disasters that disrupt agriculture.
  - Wars and conflicts contribute by destroying infrastructure.
  - Significant diversion of food resources to non-human consumption exacerbates hunger:
    - E.g., 41% of grain is processed for animal feed; 11% for biofuels.
Distribution Issue vs. Production Issue:
- Hunger predominantly seen as a distribution problem rather than simply a lack of resources.
- Concept of food security includes stable availability, access, quality, and usage of food.
Human Rights Context of Food Security:
- Human right to food obligates states to ensure access without discrimination, especially for vulnerable groups like women and children.
- Obligations also include resisting food hoarding and destruction during scarcity to safeguard food for all.
Measures to Address Hunger:
- Strategies range from promoting agroecological practices and local production to innovations in food technology.
- Pursuit of food sovereignty involves local cultivation, regional market strengthening, and improving agricultural conditions.
Importance of Agriculture:
- Major employment sector in many developing countries, providing sustenance and livelihoods, critical in addressing the food crisis.
- Smallholder farmers occupy a significant portion of arable land, contrasting with industrial agriculture's focus on upscale markets for specific exports.