Saturday, April 18, 2015

Sustainable development as a gateway for reducing inequality

Every day, the world becomes more globalized then the previous day. Such is the pace with which the world economy is moving and integrating within the international community. The rapid economic development of the past two decades makes us think that everyone out there is on the same bandwagon, and striving for some sort of betterment. However, this is not the case with most of the developing countries in the Africa, Asia and Central America. Most of the countries within these regions were colonies and late independence meant that they became late players of global economy. While the articles addresses some major solutions about how to eliminate world inequality, it also states that one of the main reason why we have inequality today is due to the western intervention from time to time in the developing nations. The purpose of such intervention was to make sure that they remove the democratically elected leaders and replace them with dictators who are rather more friendlier with the corporations. Also, IMF and World Bank used their powers in the 1980's to push the agenda of cutting social spending in developing nations and privatizing public assets. Such strategies only helped corporations of the developed world, but damaged the economy of the poor countries at least by $480 billion per year starting from 1980's.
Now that the world is so unequal - 1% rich and 99% suffering, the world leaders really need to implement corrective and progressive measures. No long should they rely on the facts of development, but should try to understand the problems of the people more materialistically. Facts and number are just data and maybe do not reveal enough about the problem being faced by the poor and their governments. Business profits are not the only thing left to be made, making people happy and satisfying their basic needs is a bigger goal of humanity. Sustainability means being considerate of our future generations, therefore, it is important that we must have an equal flow of money in the society, whereby benefits and burdens are shared fairly. Eliminate debt owned by the developing countries so they can focus on improvements rather then worrying about the money they owe to other countries or organizations. Lastly, it is the duty of the better off to help our needy brothers and sisters. Boundaries are just man made, lets go beyond them to help everyone.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/apr/15/income-inequality-debate-wealth-poverty-sustainable-development

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