The Trajectory Of Progress Must Change

Relevance: GS 2 - Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate ; GS 3 - Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

(Source: The Hindu, 08/03/23)

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Why in the news?

• This article highlights India's assertive stance in the G-20, focusing on prioritizing the agenda of the majority of humanity outside the G-7 countries.
• It also emphasizes India's opportunity to leverage the G-20 platform for showcasing its global leadership, promoting people-centric solutions, and advocating for its interests while navigating geopolitical tensions.

Why must the trajectory of progress change?

• Global Governance: The trajectory of progress must change because the world is being divided by wars between nations and internal strife fueled by military, financial, and trade conflicts.
• Equitable and sustainable growth: As the planet cannot take the pressure of the present consumptive model of economic growth any longer, economic growth that is more equitable and sustainable is needed.
• Standard solutions cannot fit all: Albert Einstein's once said that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." This statement warns us against persisting in the same methods that led to systemic problems in the first place.
• SDG challenges: The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 complex challenges, involving environmental, social, and economic issues. Each country faces distinct challenges.
• For example, the rise in sea level is immediately life-threatening to island countries but not to land-locked countries and similarly, environmental problems are not the same in Canada and Barbados.
• Therefore, tailored and inclusive approaches are essential to address these diverse challenges.

Need for promoting people-centric solutions

• According to McKinsey Global Institute's report "Pixels of Progress: A granular look at human development around the world", 80% of progress is specific to local conditions beyond country-level GDP growth.
• The report challenges the prevailing top-down problem-solving approach, highlighting its conceptual flaws.
• Local solutions: It highlighted that complex systemic problems that appear in many places require local systems solutions that are found using cooperation and implemented by communities that combine solutions to economic, environmental, and social problems.
• India's proposal of LiFE (lifestyles for sustainable development) to the G-20 emphasizes the need for coherent actions among stakeholders at all levels and collective efforts across society.
• Principle 7 of LiFE highlights the importance of recognizing and amplifying the role of local communities, regional governments, and traditional knowledge in supporting sustainable lifestyles.

Conclusion

• Democracy must involve active participation from the people, India's Political leaders need to prioritize local governance for "Poorna Swaraj" or complete freedom.
• Change and solutions should come from grassroots movements. As G-20 chair, India advocates "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" for a better global future with collective action and sustainable living.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (UPSC-2020)

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey

(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand

(c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam

(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea