Contrary to an ideological rhetoric that declares certain parts of the world to be ‘developed’, all countries are developing countries. The categorization of the nations of the world as ‘developing’ or ‘less developed’ or ‘newly developed’ should not delude us into believing that the countries of the G-7 represent some static condition of high civilization, from which no lapse is possible.
The direction in which western countries and other advantaged places of the world are developing is becoming clearer each day. Take, for example, the case of the United States which is presently facing a colossal challenge of an economic affliction of great proportions.
A report of the US Department of Housing and Urban development says an increasing number of people are vulnerable to overburdened infrastructure, inadequate housing and outmoded health systems.
A global concern, regardless of where you live, the UN-HABITAT (United Nations Agency) projects that within three decades, one of three people will live in near total despair – lacking sanitation and clean water, exposed to the imminent effects of climate change, fueling the spread of disease and possible pandemics.
Governments across the globe have what is called a social contract – a written or implied agreement between rulers and citizens that specifies the rights and duties of both sides. Generally, for example, citizens are expected to abide by the laws of a country, to pay taxes, and to contribute towards a safe environment. Rulers, in turn, usually promise such things as adequate health care, equality, and economic security. But, how have governments performed in those three areas? Let’s see the reality.
A report on sanitation and hygiene released by the World Bank states that every day 6000 children die from disease associated with inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene and unsafe water. Diarrhoea alone kills one child every 20 seconds.
A major investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO) into the way health care is handled in ‘rich and poor countries’ concluded that it is ‘dangerously out of balance’ and is ‘failing to respond to rising social expectations for health care that is people-centered, fair, affordable and efficient.” The investigation revealed that governments worldwide are struggling to pay for health care. As populations get older, more people suffer chronic diseases, and as new and more expensive treatments appear, health care costs soar.
A deadly twist to health care has emerged: So-called miracle drugs may no longer work. Infections that used to kill millions of people years ago, such as leprosy and tuberculosis, were tamed by antibiotics, the first of which were introduced in the 1940s. But now, according to WHO’s report, the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens has accelerated. More and more essential medicines are failing. The therapeutic arsenal is shrinking.
About justice and equality; a report by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund stated: Violence directed at individuals, houses of worship and community institutions because of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin remains unacceptably high and continues to be a serious problem in most of the countries of the world.
Millions of women worldwide continue to experience injustice, violence and inequality in their homes, the work place and public life, says a United Nations report ‘Progress of the World’s women: In pursuit of justice’. For example, in Afghanistan, some 85 per cent of women have no medical assistance when they give birth. In many countries, there are no laws against domestic violence. Across the globe, thousands of women are raped each day.
UN Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon stated: “Our world is one of terrible contradictions. Plenty of food but one billion people go hungry. Lavish lifestyle for a few, but poverty for too many others. Huge advances in medicine while mothers die everyday in childbirth. Billions spent on weapons to kill people instead of keeping them safe!!
The World Bank recently voiced concern about continuing global poverty. It noted that a third of earth’s six billion people still live in extreme poverty, adding that half of earth’s inhabitants survive on less than two dollars a day and one billion on less than a dollar. The World Bank said: “We must recognize that poverty is a world problem.”
Regarding Economic Security; Worldwatch Institute reports that there are more potential workers to drive economic expansion, but the number of available jobs may not keep pace. Given the current economic downturn, the International Labour organization (ILO) estimates that the ranks of the unemployed reached 205 million people.
The global economy is on the verge of a new and deeper jobs recession that may ignite social unrest, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned. The recent slowdown in growth suggested that only half the jobs needed would be created. The ILO also measured levels of discontent over the lack of jobs and anger over perceptions that the burden of the crisis was not being fairly shared. It said scores of countries faced the possibility of social unrest, particularly those in the European Union and the Arab region.
In the United States, average credit card debt now exceeds $11,000, triple what it was in 1990s. Many people go into debt, simply to project an image of wealth. Americans see people with fancy cars and clothes and assume they must be rich, but in reality, it is often safer to assume that they are in debt.
The need of the hour, first of all, is affordable health care and effective cures. Secondly, we need to see fair treatment of minority groups and women, and a complete end to prejudice against minority groups and mistreatment of women, besides a balance between the extremes of wealth and poverty. And lastly, there should be employment for all, along with a balanced view of spending.
Can world rulers change our world for the better? From the present circumstances, it may seem that there is little basis for confidence in the near future. However, definite efforts need to be put in, on a war-footing, in order to make the earth a better place for the entire human race.
(The writer is a freelance journalist)
