MDGs and the Post WW2 Development Project - Essay Example

? MDG’s and the Post WW2 Development Project Insert Insert Grade Insert 30 October Introduction It is an established fact that the millennium development goals (MDG’s) represent the most useful definition of the post-Second World War development project in the sense that they incorporate the crucial aspects of the post-war development agenda namely globalization and development. In essence, MDG’s incorporate the basic parameters of a globalized world which was a creation of European countries towards the conclusion of the colonial period (Escobar 2004, 207-230). Development, on the other hand, was crucial in the sense that it denoted the significant blueprint to a new era. Development and globalization are terms that came into existence after the catastrophe and devastation of the Second World War. Development was used to refer to the western ideology toward the relationship between the industrialised world and the third world. Since it was created during the period of decolonization, it encompassed the ways of utilizing the resources of third world countries through a system that would see the third world achieve some economic and political progress. The millennium development goals (MDG’s) represent the consolidation of development and globalization that set the benchmarks for progress in economic, social and political areas. Therefore, there is no doubt that the post-WW2 development project is best exemplified by the millennium development goals (MDG’s) which not only symbolize the economic, political and social agenda but also an outline towards a fresh era. The history of development since the conclusion of the Cold War offers grounds for optimism that MDG’s are progressing because after the collapse of the USSR, there has been no considerable resistance to the pan-European development design of third world states, particularly concerning the attainment of the MDG’s. As a result, though there are several disparities of wealth in third world countries, the attainment of MDG’s is on course. The Soviet Union opposed any pan-European development plans and championed for communism, which contradicted the western ideals of democracy and capitalism upon which the MDG’s were anchored. Hence, the conclusion of the cold war and subsequent debacle of the communist giant paved way for the attainment of MDG’s by developing countries (Biccuum 2011, 1331-1346). When discussing the progress status of MDG’s it is appropriate to consider that this development concept was derived from the pan-European agenda for the world after the fall of colonialism immediately after the Second World War, and that it was derailed as a result of the fierce ideological and political battles between the USSR and US, which were the essence of the cold war. There is optimism that MDG’s are progressing in spite of several setbacks of the western approach to politics, economics and society. a) To what extent do you agree that MDG’s are the most useful definition of the post-WW2 development project? MDG’s effectively epitomize the most constructive description of the development of the post-second world war period owing to the vastness of the parameters envisaged in the framework along with the pan-European interest. Though universal in context, the constituents of the MDG’s were conceived by considering the aspects of globalization and development. As a result, the development framework envisaged after the conclusion of the war is perfectly represented by the MDG’s. Basically, globalization was the perspective of the pan-European world throughout the colonial period relating to economic expansion in the entire world. Development was established on tangible actions developed by Europeans to utilize and earn profit from the reserves of the non-European countries. There were several assumptions in this perspective: Non-Europeans would not be capable or possibly even eager to develop their reserves without the vigorous interruption of the pan-European world. But such growth represented a substantial and ethical good for the globe. It was for that reason the moral as well as the political obligation of the pan-Europeans to utilize the resources of these nations. There was accordingly nothing erroneous with the actuality that, as recompense, the pan-Europeans who subjugated the resources, derived profit from them, because a secondary benefit would go to the individuals whose reserves were being browbeaten in this way (Wallerstein 2010, 250). This underlying principle of course totally omitted conversation of the fee in life in addition to limb to the resident people of such utilization. The usual calculus was that these expenses were necessary in addition to unavoidable collateral damage of Europe's humanizing mission. The tenor of the argument began to transform after 1945, principally therefore of the might of anti-colonial reactions and movements in Asia as well as Africa, and an innovative sense of communal insolence in Latin America. At this juncture the term development came to be applied as a policy word for the principle that it was feasible for the nations of the South to expand themselves rather than being expanded by the North. The new supposition was that if the nations of the South would merely adopt the appropriate policies, they would eventually turn into as technologically contemporary and as prosperous as the nations of the North. Millennium development goals can be defined as objectives that have been set after a careful consideration of numerous parameters of health, education, economic development, social equity along with political stability. These growth paradigms cover a diversity of issues across the divide and represent the standards of living today and future. As a result, it was envisaged that all countries of the world ought to achieve MDG’s in order to make the world an ideal place to live. In essence, MDG’s are nothing but basic parameters that determine life in totality where they establish the platform for life to prevail (Statistcs Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations 2012, 56). For instance, health parameters include the HIV pandemic along with other hygiene and nutrition parameters. These have been crafted in clear consideration of present and future challenges in the field of health (Mathew 2007, 56). Economic models incorporate the development of individual countries in a manner that encourages the cooperation of several countries through globalization. Politically, millennium development goals essentially envisage internal democracy, stability, peace and global cooperation. As exemplified by information technology, the world is indeed a global village where the interconnectivity makes the world one place for all of us. The aspect of globalization has been given centre stage in the development of millennium development goals whereby every development mantra incorporates the aspect of cooperation. This further underscores the present and future relevance of MDG’s which basically include the internal challenges that are facing the globe at large now and in the future. It is therefore conceived that the achievement of the MDG’s will place the world in a favorable position regarding the particular aspects of the development blueprint. The various aspects that constitute the entire MDG framework are based on the prevailing parameters like climate change, which have an immense impact on existence and that require global attention. As a result, the goals have been advanced to all countries to ensure that the whole world works towards common goals that will improve the life on the planet. Again, this is based on the global village paradigm whereby all countries face the same problems; thus, the need for global cooperation in all these aspects (Esteva 1992, 6-25). Millennium development goals are a perfect definition of the post world war development agenda because of the clear identification of the challenges of today and tomorrow along with the consideration of possible courses of action to mitigate the potential harm associated with the challenges. Owing to the fact that the Second World War was a huge inconvenience to global society in economic terms and political, social, environmental and other dimensions, the new framework for global stability and success was envisaged under the millennium development goals to ensure that the scenarios witnessed during the Second World War do not repeat themselves in future. The MDG’s, therefore, incorporate the expansive philosophy that was to govern the post war era through economic development models, political stability components, social equality paradigms and health along with environment concerns (Teegen et al 2007, 56). After the conclusion of the Second World War, the control of universe by European countries was waning, and it became inevitable that they relinquish their control of third world countries. Together with the United States, the European countries therefore endeavored to establish the agenda for the new era. This led to the development of world organizations where the United Nations was to deal with political and humanitarian issues while the Breetonwoods institutions, World Bank and IMF had to deal with economic aspects. It is at this point that the MDG’s were developed to cater for the expansive development of the post war world. The vastness of the millennium development paradigm makes it extended enough to incorporate the essential parameters of global life. b) Does the history of development since the end of the Cold War provide grounds for optimism or pessimism that MDG’s are progressing? The history of development since the conclusion of the Cold War provide grounds for optimism that MDG’s are progressing in the sense that ever since the fall of the Soviet Union, there has been no significant opposition to the western development plan for third world countries particularly regarding the achievement of the MDG’s. In the essence, after the conclusion of the Second World War there arose fierce power battles between the two powerful countries in the world, US and USSR. This conflict slowed the progress on MDG’s because they were seen as a western ideology that was vehemently opposed by the eastern countries along with the Soviet Union (United Nations Division for Public Administration and Development Management, 2008, 167-80). The conclusion of the Cold War has added to the remarkable globalization of market economics, in addition to electoral egalitarianism. But the implication of international capitalism and the essence of the democratic conversions of the precedent periods are subjects of substantial debate. Some viewers continue to accentuate that the conclusion of the Cold War symbolizes the achievement of liberalism in sense that it is only a short period before the ex- Soviet Bloc and the entire world embrace the capitalist affluence and democratic strength currently prevailing in Japan, Western Europe along with North America. Definitely the ending of the scenario of socialism in Eastern Europe in addition to the ex- USSR has played a significant role in representative and substantive conditions to the termination of socialist progress models commonly and state socialism in the Third World more predominantly (Berger 1994, 257-275). When considering the conclusion of the cold war as a phenomenal factor in the progress of millennium development goals, it is important to understand the impact of the cold war on the post-Second World War development agenda. It must be borne in mind that the millennium development goals emanated from the post world war development blueprint. Therefore, the impact of the end of the cold war can be measured by understanding the impact of the cold war on the post war development agenda (Ganske 2008, 34). The cold war refers to the diplomatic tensions between the two great powers of the time, USSR and US. This was a direct result of the Second World War whereby the two emerged as the superpowers. Now the cold war was based on a fight for global superiority between the United States and Soviet Union. Additionally, the cold war was a referendum between capitalism represented by the United States and communism represented by the USSR. In essence, the MDG’s were based on the capitalist and democratic paradigm as represented by the US. On the contrary, the Soviet Union was against the western agenda for world development. Therefore, the cold war slowed the achievement of the MDG’s. The end of the cold war marked the end of opposition to the pan-European global development framework. This made the achievement of MDG’s more convenient as there were no obstruction in its application. Since the fall of the USSR most countries of the world are on course towards embracing the western approach to politics and economics underscored by capitalism and egalitarianism. This has opened the way for the application and achievement of the global millennium goals (Nwonwu 2008, 107). The millennium development goals have been pursued globally with a high acceleration after the conclusion of the cold war. In essence, the Soviet Union was controlling several other countries that were equally opposed to the western approach of development subsequent to the Second World War. After the debacle of the cold war all these countries embraced western ideals and adopted the millennium development goals making their achievement more possible. Therefore, the finishing of the cold war facilitated the adoption, implementation and achievement of the millennium development goals creating an optimism that the MDG’s are on course to accomplishment (Aguirre 2008). Summary In conclusion, it is agreeable that MDG’s are the most useful definition of the post-WW2 development project in the sense that after the debacle of the war the western powers established a development project to govern the world after the war. As a result, the MDG’s represent this economic blueprint through the inherent parameters that constitute the development project. Basically, the millennium development goals represent the most succinct representation of the development agenda subsequent to the Second World War. The pan-European development project that was established at the debacle of the war denoted the launching of a new era of economic and social progress that is symbolized by the MDG’s. On the other hand, the conclusion of the cold war created some optimism that the millennium development goals can actually be achieved. This is based on the fact that the Soviet Union was a great obstacle in the achievement of pan-European development agenda and its fall created a clear way for the adoption and application of these millennium development goals. Moreover, since the cold war ended many countries have embraced western ideals and agreed to work towards the achievement of MDG’s. Both the Second World War and the cold war had defining impact on the global development agenda in a permanent way that the impact still influences the world today. The Second World War was a very immense inconvenience to the world and also marked the end of an era where the colonial period came to an end. It became necessary that a new development framework be developed to govern future progress. This led to the pan-European development agenda that is today symbolized by the millennium development goals. Additionally, the end of Second World War marked the commencement of the cold war which slowed the achievement of the pan European development project. Therefore, when the cold war ended the stage was open for the achievement of the MDG’s. These findings indicate that the Second World War was the turning point in global development in the sense that it resulted in the development of the pan-European development agenda after the war. The western development framework was found necessary because of the severity of the effects of the Second World War. The world war also led to the development of the cold war, which became a huge obstacle in the achievement of the development agenda. However, the findings also concur that the end of the cold war eventually opened the way and facilitated the achievement of the MDG’s. In all these assertions, it is evident that MDG’s remain the best indicators of development agenda that prevails today and seem to chart the future. Though there are pockets of opposition to the achievement of MDG’s, most countries are in favour of the development paradigm and are actually working towards the successful implementation of the goals. Reference List Aguirre, D 2008, The Human Right to Development in a Globalized World, Ashgate publishing, ltd, New York. Berger, M 1994, ‘The End of the 'Third World?’ Third World Quarterly, Vol. 15, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 257-275 Biccuum, A 2011, ‘Marketing Development: celebrity politics and the ‘new’ development advocacy,’ Third World Quarterly, Vol. 32, No. 7, 2011, pp 1331-1346 Escobar, A 2004, ‘Beyond the Third World: imperial globality, global coloniality and anti- globalization social movements,’ Third World Quarterly, Vol 25, No 1, pp 207–230. Esteva, G 1992, Development. In W. 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