Article Review on Forget developing poor countries, it's time to de-develop rich countries.

Gabrielle Saique

13 Dec 202204:48

Summary

TLDRIn 'Forget Developing Poor Countries, It's Time to Develop Rich Countries' by Jason Hickel, the article challenges the conventional narrative that growth is the solution and instead suggests that rich countries should reduce their development levels. Hickel argues for learning from societies with low consumption but high happiness and longevity, promoting a more sustainable and appropriate development model. The article calls for a new understanding of progress that doesn't rely on endless growth, encouraging rich nations to justify their existence and consider a more balanced approach to global development.

Takeaways

🌍 The article challenges the notion that growth is the only solution and suggests a reevaluation of development strategies.
📈 It critiques the idea of perpetuating growth as a means for poorer countries to catch up with richer ones, viewing it as outdated propaganda.
🔄 The author, Jason Hickel, proposes a shift in perspective to consider 'catching down' as a viable alternative to the traditional 'catching up' approach.
🏞️ The article highlights societies where people live long and happy lives despite lower levels of income and consumption, suggesting these as models for efficient living.
🌱 It emphasizes the need to learn from cultures that have achieved a good quality of life without excessive consumption or wealth.
🌱 The concept of 'appropriate development' is introduced, where countries are not seen as underdeveloped but as optimally developed for their context.
🌐 Hickel calls for rich countries to justify their levels of development and consumption, implying a need for global equity and sustainability.
🌿 The article aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end poverty through sustainable means rather than endless growth.
💡 It encourages a higher level of consciousness and understanding, advocating for a world that values quality of life over material wealth.
🔄 The article suggests a middle ground where both rich and poor countries can develop in a balanced way, meeting at a point of sustainable and equitable living standards.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in Jason Hickel's article?
-The main argument is that growth is no longer a viable option and that instead of focusing on developing poor countries to catch up with rich ones, we should consider bringing rich countries down to more appropriate levels of development.
Who is Jason Hickel and what is his background?
-Jason Hickel is an anthropologist with a strong economic perspective. He is known for his critiques of development and economic growth.
What is the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mentioned in the article?
-The SDGs are a set of goals established by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The article critiques the reliance on economic growth as a means to achieve these goals.
Who is Peter Edward, and what does he argue in the article?
-Peter Edward is an economist mentioned in the article who argues against the idea of pushing poorer countries to catch up with richer ones. Instead, he suggests that rich countries should aim for a more appropriate level of development.
What does the article suggest we should learn from societies with low income and consumption?
-The article suggests that we should learn from societies where people live long and happy lives despite relatively low income and consumption levels, as these represent efficient ways of living.
How does the article define 'appropriate development'?
-The article defines 'appropriate development' as a state where countries are not overdeveloped but have reached a level of development that allows for long and happy lives with lower levels of income and consumption.
What is the author's stance on the concept of 'developing' poor countries?
-The author argues against the traditional notion of developing poor countries to match the levels of rich ones, suggesting instead that rich countries should adjust their development to more sustainable levels.
What is the intended audience for this article?
-The intended audience is adults who are concerned about the state of the world and are open to rethinking conventional economic development models.
What is the main takeaway from the article according to the reviewer?
-The main takeaway is the importance of reevaluating our understanding of development and growth, and learning from societies that prioritize happiness and longevity over material wealth.
What is the reviewer's critique of the article's suggestion to stop developing poor countries?
-The reviewer points out that the article's suggestion to stop developing poor countries might be misinterpreted; they believe that poor countries should still be allowed to develop while rich countries adjust their development strategies.
Why does the reviewer recommend the article to others?
-The reviewer recommends the article because it challenges conventional economic wisdom and encourages readers to consider alternative models of development that prioritize well-being over material wealth.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Rethinking Development: Rich Countries' Role

The article by Jason Michael Heikel challenges the conventional notion of economic growth, suggesting that the focus should shift from developing poor countries to reevaluating the development models of rich ones. It critiques the idea of continuous growth as a government propaganda tool and proposes that rich countries should reduce their development levels to more sustainable ones. The article advocates learning from societies with lower incomes and consumption, where people live long and happy lives, as a model for an efficient lifestyle. It also discusses the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the need for a new perspective on what constitutes 'appropriate' development. The author encourages rich countries to justify their existence and consumption levels, aiming for a higher level of global consciousness for a better world.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Developing Countries

Developing countries are nations with lower economic development compared to developed countries, often characterized by lower per capita income, less infrastructure, and higher poverty rates. In the video, the author challenges the traditional narrative of encouraging developing countries to pursue growth at all costs, suggesting instead a reevaluation of what constitutes 'development' and advocating for a more sustainable approach.

💡Rich Countries

Rich countries, also known as developed countries, are nations with higher levels of economic development, typically marked by higher per capita income, advanced infrastructure, and a higher standard of living. The video discusses the need for rich countries to reconsider their development models, suggesting that they should aim for 'appropriate development' rather than endless growth.

💡Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address social, economic, and environmental issues by 2030. The video references the SDGs to highlight the global commitment to sustainable development, which includes ending poverty and promoting prosperity while protecting the planet.

💡Growth Propaganda

The term 'growth propaganda' in the video refers to the belief that economic growth is the primary solution to societal problems. The author argues that this belief is outdated and that it's time to move away from the idea that growth is the only measure of progress, especially for rich countries.

💡Appropriate Development

Appropriate development, as discussed in the video, is a concept that challenges the notion that higher levels of income and consumption are always better. It suggests that societies can be well-developed and provide a good quality of life for their citizens at a lower level of economic activity, which is more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.

💡Quality of Life

Quality of life in the video is used to describe the overall well-being of individuals in a society, which includes factors such as health, happiness, and satisfaction. The author points out that some societies with lower incomes and consumption levels can have high quality of life, indicating that development should focus on these aspects rather than just economic growth.

💡Peter Edward

Peter Edward is an economist mentioned in the video who argues against the idea of pushing poorer countries to catch up with rich ones. Instead, he suggests that rich countries should aim for a more appropriate level of development that is sustainable and does not exacerbate global inequalities.

💡Jason Michael Heikel

Jason Michael Heikel is the author of the article reviewed in the video. He is presented as an anthropologist with a strong economic perspective, advocating for a reevaluation of what it means to be developed and suggesting that rich countries should be looking to 'catch down' rather than for developing countries to 'catch up'.

💡Voluntary Misery

The term 'voluntary misery' in the video is used to counter the idea that advocating for sustainable development means accepting a lower standard of living. Instead, the author argues that sustainable development can lead to a higher level of understanding and consciousness, which can improve the overall quality of life without the need for constant economic growth.

💡Higher Level of Understanding and Consciousness

This phrase from the video refers to the idea that by rethinking our approach to development and growth, we can achieve a deeper understanding of what truly contributes to a good life and a healthy planet. It suggests that rich countries should lead by example in finding ways to live well without relying on endless consumption and environmental degradation.

Highlights

The article challenges the notion that growth is the only solution and suggests a reevaluation of development strategies.

It argues for a shift in focus from developing poor countries to reining in the development of rich ones.

The article suggests learning from societies with long, happy lives at lower levels of income and consumption.

The author, Jason Hickel, is an anthropologist with a strong economic perspective.

The article references the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their focus on ending poverty.

Economist Peter Edward is cited, advocating for a different approach to global economic development.

The article proposes viewing certain countries not as underdeveloped but as appropriately developed.

It calls for rich countries to justify their existence and development levels.

The objective is not to impose limits on human potential but to enhance global understanding and consciousness.

The article encourages looking at alternative ways of living that prioritize happiness and longevity over material wealth.

It critiques the idea of continuous development as a means to meet in the middle between rich and poor countries.

The article is recommended for readers seeking a new perspective on global development and sustainability.

The article suggests that development should not be a one-size-fits-all approach but tailored to societal needs and values.

It discusses the importance of redefining what it means to be developed in a global context.

The article emphasizes the need for a higher level of consciousness for a better world.

It questions the traditional narrative of development and growth as the ultimate goals for all countries.

The article provides a thought-provoking perspective on the limitations of current economic models.