This paper strives to provide an overview of the critical academic engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This literature review is structured as follows: Firstly, a short introduction to the key terms facilitated in this paper will be given: 'development' and its distinction to 'sustainable development'. Secondly, the underlying methodology of critical discourse analysis (CDA) and its differentiation from discourse analysis (DA) will be presented in order to embed the subsequent overview. Finally, some main findings will be compared with the contribution of (C)DA to development studies.
In late 2015, one of the most far-reaching consensuses in the world was unanimously agreed upon by the 193 countries of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Set out to fulfil ambitious development targets by 2030, ranging from the complete eradication of poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1) to strengthening the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (SD) (Goal 17), this framework is part of the so-called Post-2015 Development Agenda respectively '2030 Agenda' (eponymous by the main document constituting the SDGs passed by the UN in 2015).
As the intended outcome of this process, which was initiated in 2012, the SDGs are the legitimate successor of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight goals that were promised to be reached by 2015 by the UN Millenium Declaration (passed in 2000). Facing manifold shortcomings of the MDGs, which were measured by a mere 18 targets, the SDGs were extended to 17 goals measured by 169 targets.
Unsurprisingly and especially regarding their abundance, the SDGs faced harsh critique from most diverse commentators. In one of its issues in March 2015, the internationally renowned weekly newspaper The Economist, for example, portrayed the SDGs as even worse than useless. Due to their presumably bloated nature as a “myriad of top-down targets“ (The Economist 2015), they would not only distract from poverty eradication as the potentially most important goal but also overlook the importance of local contexts, ultimately resulting in “cookie-cutter development policies” (Ibid.). However, the majority of publication organs and stakeholders in the international development community did not articulate an equally harsh (and narrow) critique, as the goals of the SDGs seem difficult to contradict - at least on first glance.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical framework
3 Methodological framework
4 The status quo
5 Conclusion
6 References
Objectives and Topics
This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the critical academic engagement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing specifically on how critical discourse analysis (CDA) has been utilized to deconstruct the underlying power structures and discourses within this global consensus.
- Examination of the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs.
- Analysis of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of critical discourse analysis in development studies.
- Evaluation of power dynamics and the (de-)politicization of sustainable development.
- Investigation of exclusionary language and Western-centric perspectives in international development policies.
- Review of case studies focusing on education and knowledge societies within the 2030 Agenda.
Auszug aus dem Buch
1 Introduction
In late 2015, one of the most far-reaching consensuses in the world was unanimously agreed upon by the 193 countries of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Set out to fulfill ambitious development targets by 2030, ranging from the complete eradication of poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1) to strengthening the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (SD) (Goal 17), this framework is part of the so-called Post-2015 Development Agenda respectively 2030 Agenda (eponymous by the main document constituting the SDGs passed by the UN in 2015). As the intended outcome of this process, which was initiated in 2012, the SDGs are the legitimate successor of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight goals that were promised to be reached by 2015 by the UN Millenium Declaration (passed in 2000). Facing manifold shortcomings of the MDGs, which were measured by a mere 18 targets, the SDGs were extended to 17 goals measured by 169 targets (UN 2015).
Unsurprisingly and especially regarding their abundance, the SDGs faced harsh critique from most diverse commentators. In one of its issues in March 2015, the internationally renowned weekly newspaper The Economist, for example, portrayed the SDGs as even worse than useless. Due to their presumably bloated nature as a “myriad of top-down targets“ (The Economist 2015), they would not only distract from poverty eradication as the potentially most important goal but also overlook the importance of local contexts, ultimately resulting in “cookie-cutter development policies” (Ibid.). However, the majority of publication organs and stakeholders in the international development community did not articulate an equally harsh (and narrow) critique, as the goals of the SDGs seem difficult to contradict – at least on first glance.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the successor to the MDGs and outlines the research gap regarding critical academic engagement with these goals.
2 Theoretical framework: This section defines core development terminology and discusses the contested nature of sustainable development as an interpretative grid for global policy.
3 Methodological framework: This chapter establishes critical discourse analysis (CDA) as the primary methodology for deconstructing the power relations and representations within development discourse.
4 The status quo: This chapter reviews existing academic literature that employs (C)DA to analyze the emergence and specific policy focuses of the SDGs, such as education and knowledge management.
5 Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the main findings, emphasizing that the SDGs often perpetuate depoliticized and Western-centric development paradigms rather than fostering a true transformative agenda.
6 References: This section provides the comprehensive list of academic sources and policy documents cited throughout the literature review.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Critical Discourse Analysis, CDA, Development Studies, 2030 Agenda, Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Depoliticization, Discourse Analysis, Power Relations, Knowledge Societies, Neoliberalism, Global Governance, Sustainable Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this research paper?
The paper provides a literature review on the critical academic engagement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on how these goals are perceived and deconstructed by scholars.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include the transition from MDGs to SDGs, the role of discourse in shaping development policy, the influence of Western-centric models, and the critique of the SDGs as a depoliticized technical agenda.
What is the core objective of the study?
The objective is to synthesize existing (critical) discourse analytical studies of the SDGs to determine how they construct development and whether they represent a genuine paradigm change or merely a continuation of past strategies.
Which scientific methodology is primarily applied?
The paper uses critical discourse analysis (CDA) as its overarching framework to review how other researchers have utilized this methodology to interrogate the political and social power structures within the 2030 Agenda.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section evaluates specific literature that uses (C)DA to analyze the SDGs, including in-depth looks at studies regarding the right to health, education (Goal 4), and the construction of knowledge societies.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Sustainable Development Goals, Critical Discourse Analysis, Depoliticization, Power Relations, 2030 Agenda, and Development Studies.
How does the author characterize the shift from the MDGs to the SDGs?
The author argues that while the SDGs address some shortcomings of the MDGs, they largely continue a technical, pro-growth paradigm that fails to challenge fundamental inequalities or provide a truly transformative global agenda.
What role does the critique of "knowledge societies" play in the SDGs?
The paper highlights that knowledge is often framed in a techno-scientific, utilitarian way that favors dominant global players and neglects traditional or local forms of knowledge.
Does the author conclude that the SDGs have achieved a paradigm change?
No, the author concludes that the SDGs do not represent a significant paradigm change, as they continue to treat development as a technical problem rather than a political one, largely ignoring deep-seated power asymmetries.
What suggestion is made for future research?
The author suggests that more research, particularly via CDA, is needed to investigate the specific power configurations and negotiation processes that led to the creation of the SDGs to increase public pressure for actual change.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Max Schmidt (Autor:in), 2019, UN's Sustainable Development Goals as Paradigm Change?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/502727
