The Battle for Progress: What does progress mean in the 21st Century? June 28, 2008

What does ‘progress’ mean in the 21st century? Despite much talk of ‘globalisation’, there are still vast inequalities between different parts of the world. Old models of economic and material progress seem discredited and outdated. New development thinking questions whether Western notions of progress simply serve the interests of Western corporations rather than local people, damaging traditional ways of life. Climate change has given added impetus to the debate, with the world’s poor often presented as on the frontline of imagined global catastrophe. We are frequently told that for everyone in the world to enjoy the lifestyle of the affluent West, we would need several more planets. But when the world’s ‘haves’ preach sustainable development, often betraying a nostalgia for pre-modern ways of life, is there a danger of indulging in hypocrisy?

- Should countries like China and India be prevented from developing if that means more pollution, or is this ‘eco-imperialism’?
- Is there a danger of romanticising southern poverty from the comfort of our modern cities?
- Must development mean Westernisation, or is it possible to overcome poverty while preserving unique cultures?

Official Website: http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/2008/session_detail/1181/