Unit 5 Human Development and Diversity Flashcards
What are the UN SDGs?
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global targets focused on ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace, prosperity, and equality for all.
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnership for the goals
What is the HDI?
It is preferred by the UN over single indicators like GNI, as it balances factors, providing a more comprehensive view of progress.
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Countries with high HDI scores generally perform well across all three areas, while low-scoring countries show varied development levels.
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HDI rankings reveal disparities, with oil-rich nations often scoring lower than expected.
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Despite global progress, HDI improvements are slowing, particularly in low-income countries.
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Switzerland (0.967), Norway (0.966), Iceland (0.959).
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Somalia (0.380), India (0.644), Russia (0.821)
What is the HPI?
HPI-1 for low-income countries (focusing on survival to age 40, literacy, and access to resources)
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HPI-2 for OECD countries, which includes survival to age 60, literacy, income poverty, and social exclusion (long-term unemployment).
What is GDI?
It is simply the HDI adjusted for gender inequality.
What is GEM?
It tracks women’s representation in parliament, leadership roles, professional jobs, and income.
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Norway ranks highest, while Yemen ranks lowest.
What is GII?
reproductive health (maternal mortality and adolescent birth rates)
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gender empowerment (women in parliament and secondary education)
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economic status (labor force participation).
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In 2014, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Germany had the lowest gender inequality, while Niger, Chad, and Afghanistan ranked lowest overall.
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Significant issues highlighted include women’s hunger, low representation in peace negotiations, wage gaps, and limited access to resources in agriculture.
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Calls for improved support for women, especially in rural areas, have been emphasized.
How can women be empowered? Can you include a case study?
High-level corporate leadership for gender equality.
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Fair treatment and support for all workers.
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Ensuring health and safety for all employees.
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Promoting education and professional development for women.
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Empowering women through enterprise and supply chain practices.
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Supporting equality through community initiatives.
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Measuring and reporting progress on gender equality.
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Empowering women in Columbia
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In Colombia, women have become increasingly influential in decision-making due to mobilization during the long-standing armed conflict.
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Part of this is thanks to including a Bill of Rights based on equality and non-discrimination and a growth of women’s social movements.
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By 2011, 32% of cabinet members were women, up from 12% in 1998, and girls’ enrolment in education surpassed that of boys.
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Women’s labour force participation rose from 30% in 1990 to over 40% in 2012, aided by legal reforms, political opportunities, and social movements.
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However, challenges persist, including a fragile peace process and ongoing inequality, particularly affecting rural women who face illiteracy and discrimination.
How can indigenous and minority groups be empowered? Case study?
Indigenous communities often face marginalization, poor health, and limited participation in economic and political processes.
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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports agricultural development projects in developing countries to combat rural poverty.
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Initiatives include a sustainable development project in Panama for the Ngobe-Bugle community to restore land rights, and a project in Nepal aimed at reducing discrimination against women and ethnic minorities while strengthening traditional health care systems.
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Mapajo Lodge, Bolivia
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Established in 1999, is an ecotourism project that promotes community income diversification while ensuring environmental protection.
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Profits from the lodge fund community projects that enhance living standards and respect cultural heritage, focusing on land rights, crafts, education, and microfinance.
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Located in the Pilon Lajas Indigenous Territory Biosphere Reserve, the lodge is run by around 300 members of the Moseten and Chiman indigenous groups.
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Financial support from Canada, the UK, and France facilitated the project, with the community receiving about 20% of the tourism income.
What methods of social entrepreneurship can be used to benefit human development? Case study?
Microfinance
There are 2.5 billion adults without access to banking. 80% of people living on less than $2 a day have no banking access.
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Microfinance aims to reduce poverty and address social issues, including gender discrimination, by enabling market access for the poor.
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Originating in 1974 when Muhammad Yunus made a small loan to women in Bangladesh, microfinance has grown to include institutions like the Grameen Bank, which offer small business loans primarily to rural farmers.
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Microfinance schemes often focus on women, who may lack ownership rights or borrowing capacity in some cultures.
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These community-based lending models enhance loan repayment rates.
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While microfinance can improve living standards, critics highlight issues such as higher interest rates compared to commercial banks, misallocation of loans for non-business purposes, and the potential for worsening poverty without addressing root causes.
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Some argue it may not empower women as intended and can perpetuate exploitation within capitalist structures.
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Fair trade
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A socially, economically, and environmentally responsible trading system that seeks to ensure fair prices and decent working conditions for producers in poorer countries.
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It aims to address inequities in the global trading system by promoting ethical practices among companies and securing better outcomes for workers and communities.
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Fair trade products may however be more expensive and less appealing for the average buyer.
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Corporate social responsibility
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Involves companies assessing and mitigating the social, economic, and environmental impacts of their activities.
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Fair trade companies generally prioritize worker and environmental welfare more than some large transnational corporations.
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For example, McDonald’s 2020 CSR Framework aims for sustainable sourcing, increased recycling, and enhanced energy efficiency, reflecting a commitment to responsible business practices.
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Case study: The peoples tree
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People Tree is a textiles company committed to fair trade principles, collaborating with 50 groups in 15 countries to support marginalized communities. It utilizes eco-friendly production methods, prioritizes organic cotton, and employs safe dyes. Their Eco Policy focuses on promoting organic farming, avoiding pollution, and recycling materials to minimize environmental impact.
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Case study: Rana Plaza disaster
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The disaster occurred on April 24, 2013, when an eight-storey garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 1,100 people, mostly women and children.
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Despite safety warnings, the factory continued operations. The tragedy prompted global clothing brands to improve their corporate social responsibility, but critics argue enforcement remains challenging.
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Nike and Gap had to deal with allegations of using child labour. Walmart launched a fire-safety training academy there. Gap announced plans to help factory owners upgrade their plants and improve safety. Primark provided long-term compensation to the workers, or their dependents, of its supplier, New Wave Bottoms, and an additional $1 million to the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund.
Explain and discuss culture and cultural diffusion.
This occurs through interactions such as trade or warfare and can be forced through cultural imperialism.
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Today, globalization and communications technology accelerate cultural diffusion, creating a global cultural model influenced by media and mobility.
Discuss the emerging global culture and how it can be grouped.
It is argued that cultural practices worldwide are converging through the export of “superior” traits from developed nations and the hybridization of cultures, creating new universal cultural practices.
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Language
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Languages like English, Mandarin, and Spanish have over 100 million native speakers.
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English is the dominant global language, evolving with regional variations due to past colonialism.
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The United Nations has six official languages.
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While some languages are declining, others, like Irish, are reviving, reflecting cultural interest, and new forms, such as SMS language, are emerging.
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Religion
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Christianity and Islam are the two major global religions, expanding through political and military influence, particularly during colonial times.
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As some religions grow, others diminish, such as Zoroastrianism, which has nearly vanished.
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In contrast, Chinese folk religion persists, blending mythology and practices, with significant followers.
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Music
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Transcends language, facilitating globalization. Dominated by TNCs, the music industry promotes local traditions through “world music.”
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Migration influences musical forms, leading to hybridized genres, as global audiences consume diverse musical expressions from various cultures.
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Television
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Shifted from domestic production to global dissemination due to cable, satellite, and digital technologies.
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Major countries like the USA, UK, and France export popular programs, while new players like Brazil and Mexico are increasing their output, contributing to a global media landscape.
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Sport
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Particularly football, are becoming more globalized and commodified.
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Major leagues, like US baseball, attract international players and audiences, with global coverage enhancing their reach.
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This phenomenon signifies cultural globalization, as sports become a shared experience across nations.
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Tourism
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Exemplifies globalization, primarily dominated by wealthier individuals from developed nations.
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While it can exploit local communities, particularly through sex tourism, it also facilitates cultural exchange, allowing tourists to experience diverse cultures and reinforcing global cultural connections in specific destinations.
What is cultural imperialism? Where can it be seen?
This includes the export of entertainment, which shifts focus from traditional roots and community bonds to media-driven needs.
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Countries adapt their social structures to align with the dominant culture’s values.
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Language
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Currently, about 6,000 languages exist, but this number may decline to 3,000 by 2100, with 60% having fewer than 10,000 speakers. English is emerging as the global language, used extensively in fields like aviation and finance. Nearly a billion people speak English, making it crucial for international communication.
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Tourism
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Has become the world’s largest industry, often leading to cultural standardization. For instance, British tourists in Spain exemplify this through stereotypical behaviors, such as eating traditional British food in foreign settings. Such patterns highlight the impact of tourism on local cultures and the prevalence of globalized experiences.
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Global Brands
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The influence of transnational corporations (TNCs) has fostered a global consumer culture centered on world brands. Companies like McDonald’s and Coca-Cola are ubiquitous, with McDonald’s opening a new outlet every four hours as of 1997, showcasing the link between global brands and American culture.
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The Media
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Global media corporations are replacing national media systems, with 20 to 30 large TNCs, mainly from the West, dominating the entertainment industry. Companies like Time-Warner, Disney, and News Corporation exemplify the concentration of media power, shaping cultural narratives globally and reinforcing Western perspectives.
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Democracy
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The diffusion of liberal democracy has significantly impacted many nations, reflecting the Western belief in its superiority as a governance model. This spread has led to the practice of democracy in the majority of nation-states, indicating a widespread acceptance of democratic ideals rooted in Enlightenment principles.
What criticisms does cultural imperialism face
This perspective suggests the emergence of a universalized hybrid culture (homogenous) that isn’t solely Western.
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For example, British tea drinking stems from imperial ties with India, and English incorporates words like “bungalow” and “shampoo” from subcontinental languages.
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Additionally, cultural exchanges are evident in rap music’s blending of Black American and Hispanic dialects, and football’s origins trace back to China before spreading globally.
How has culture changed in Tibet? What about indigenous populations in Andaman Islands.
After China’s invasion in 1950, Tibetans signed an agreement ceding control over external relations while retaining some political and religious autonomy.
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Many Tibetans feel their culture has been eroded under Chinese rule, prompting a 1959 uprising that led the Dalai Lama to flee to India with about 80,000 followers.
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The establishment of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) in 1965, along with the China–Tibet railway completed in 2005, has facilitated Han Chinese migration, altering the cultural landscape and increasing resource exploitation.
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The Andaman Islands, governed by India, have seen a significant decline in the indigenous population from about 5,000 in the 18th century to around 1,000 today.
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British colonization in 1858 established a penal colony, and Indian settlers increased the population to approximately 356,000.
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Indigenous tribes like the Sentinelese remain uncontacted, while the Jarawa tribe faces threats from increased tourism and development.
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Despite regulations against interaction, tourist trips into their territory have surged, exacerbating risks of disease and cultural erosion, particularly with plans for a luxury resort near their land.
What is glocalization? Can you give an example of glocalization of branded commodities, and
cultural hybridity?
Overall, glocalization highlights the interplay between global and local forces, emphasizing local identity in an interconnected world.
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McDonald’s serves over 70 million customers daily at its 35,000 locations worldwide.
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Founded in the USA and Canada, the chain expanded rapidly through Europe, Asia, and Latin America from the 1970s to the 1990s.
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While more than half of its outlets are in the U.S., significant numbers exist in the UK, Brazil, China, and Thailand.
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Known as a symbol of globalization, McDonald’s maintains a consistent décor and service style globally but adapts its offerings to local tastes.
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In Beijing, it transformed into a middle-class dining experience, while in Japan, it caters to youth culture.
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Menu items vary significantly; for instance, South Korea features shrimp and bulgogi burgers, and Japan offers green tea milkshakes.
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In 2014, McDonald’s introduced “Create Your Taste,” allowing customers to customize meals, highlighting its evolution beyond fast food into a more personalized dining experience.
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Coca-Cola
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A number of variations on the original Coca-Cola formula include:
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Coca-Cola with lime – available only in the USA, Canada, Singapore, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands
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Coca-Cola Blak (2006–8) – available only in the USA, Canada, France, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Lithuania
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Coca-Cola Citra (2005–present) – available only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, New Zealand and Japan
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Coca-Cola clear (2016) – available only in Canada, France and Australia.
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Since June 2012, Coca-Cola has been officially available in every country of the world except Cuba and North Korea.
