Rising political polarization and distrust results in gridlock on global challenges
KATHMANDU, MARCH 15
Uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarization on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action, according to a new report released on Thursday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The 2023/24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled "Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world", reveals a troubling trend: the rebound in the global Human Development Index (HDI) – a summary measure reflecting a country's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, education, and life expectancy – has been partial, incomplete, and unequal.
The HDI is projected to reach record highs in 2023 after steep declines during 2020 and 2021. But this progress is deeply uneven. Rich countries are experiencing record-high levels of human development while half of the world's poorest countries remain below their pre-crisis level of progress.
"Nepal's HDI value is 0.601 -placing the country in the Medium human development category and positioning it at 146 out of 193 countries and territories. Nepal's ranking was 149 in 2021. As compared to 2021, Nepal's progress on HDI value is 0.010 which is higher than global average of 0.004. Countries with HDI values between 0.550 and 0.699 fall under the Medium Human Development category. Between 1990 and 2022, Nepal's HDI value changed from 0.395 to 0.601, representing a change of 52.2 percent. During the same period, Nepal's life expectancy at birth increased by 15.7 years, expected years of schooling by 5.4 years, and mean years of schooling by 2.1 years. Nepal's GNI per capita changed by about 165.7 percent between 1990 and 2022."
"The 2022 female HDI value for Nepal is 0.562, contrasting with 0.635 for males, resulting in a GDI value of 0.885. Between 1990 and 2022, Nepal's life expectancy at birth changed by 15.7 years, expected years of schooling changed by 5.4 years and mean years of schooling changed by 2.1 years. Nepal's GNI per capita changed by about 165.7 percent between 1990 and 2022. The 2022 female HDI value for Nepal is 0.562 in contrast with 0.635 for males, resulting in a GDI value of 0.885."
Global inequalities are compounded by substantial economic concentration. As referenced in the report, almost 40 percent of global trade in goods is concentrated in three or fewer countries; and in 2021 the market capitalization of each of the three largest tech companies in the world surpassed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than 90 percent of countries that year.
"The widening human development gap revealed by the report shows that the two-decade trend of steadily reducing inequalities between wealthy and poor nations is now in reverse. Despite our deeply interconnected global societies, we are falling short. We must leverage our interdependence as well as our capacities to address our shared and existential challenges and ensure people's aspirations are met," said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme. "This gridlock carries a significant human toll. The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalization or poverty and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarization and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide."
"Nepal performed progressively in the last 5 decades, yet fall into gridlock at times, particularly following the pandemic– be it related to decent jobs for youths, spatial and social inequalities, economic growth, as well as trust on institutions. It is fundamental to collaborate not only between three levels of governments, but also with the private sector, civil society, international community, and people at large. The Federal Government could focus more on transparency, accountability, and integrity; Provincial and Local governments can enhance planning and service delivery; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) could further promote people's participation and voice to revive hope and trust, and using multilateralism, a proven path that benefit everyone in the society," said Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, UNDP Nepal's Resident Representative.
The report argues that advancing international collective action is hindered by an emerging 'democracy paradox': while 9 in 10 people worldwide endorse democracy, over half of global survey respondents express support for leaders that may undermine it by bypassing fundamental rules of the democratic process, as per data analysed in the report. Half of people surveyed worldwide report having no or limited control over their lives, and over two-thirds believe they have little influence on their government's decisions.
Political polarization is also a growing concern with global repercussions. Along with a sense of powerlessness, report authors say, it is fuelling inward-turning policy approaches – starkly at odds with the global cooperation needed to address urgent issues like the decarbonization of our economies, misuse of digital technologies, and conflict. This is particularly alarming in light of 2023's record-breaking temperatures, which emphasize the immediate need for united action to tackle the climate crisis, or in the advent of artificial intelligence as a new and fast-evolving technological frontier with little or no regulatory guard rails, the report added.
The report highlights that deglobalization is neither feasible nor realistic in today's world and that economic interdependence remains high. It points out that no region is close to self-sufficiency, as all rely on imports from other regions of 25 percent or more of at least one major type of goods and services.
"In a world marked by increasing polarization and division, neglecting to invest in each other poses a serious threat to our wellbeing and security. Protectionist approaches cannot address the complex, interconnected challenges we face, including pandemic prevention, climate change, and digital regulation," Steiner added. "Our problems are intertwined, requiring equally interconnected solutions. By adopting an opportunity-driven agenda that emphasizes the benefits of the energy transition and of artificial intelligence for human development, we have a chance to break through the current deadlock and reignite a commitment to a shared future."
The report emphasizes how global interdependence is being reconfigured and calls for a new generation of global public goods. It proposes four areas for immediate action:
- planetary public goods, for climate stability, as we confront the unprecedented challenges of the Anthropocene;
- digital global public goods, for greater equity in harnessing new technologies for equitable human development;
- new and expanded financial mechanisms, including a novel track in international cooperation that complements humanitarian assistance and traditional development aid to low-income countries; and
- dialling down political polarization through new governance approaches focused on enhancing people's voices in deliberation and tackling misinformation.
In this context, multilateralism plays a fundamental role, the report argues, because bilateral engagements are not able to address the irreducibly planetary nature of the provision of global public goods, the UNDP said
